Can carbon capture solve desalination’s waste problem?

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Grist or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Capture6, a startup, proposes an innovative solution to desalinate water while addressing climate change
• Their technology aims to store carbon dioxide in the toxic brine produced by desalination plants

🔭 The context: Desalination plants are criticized for their energy-intensive process and harmful brine byproduct
• Capture6's method involves a carbon-capture facility near a desalination plant, using the brine to store carbon dioxide and also produce fresh water, thus reducing both greenhouse gas concentration and pollution

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: This approach could significantly reduce the environmental impact of desalination and contribute to carbon capture efforts
• If successful, it offers a dual benefit of mitigating water scarcity and addressing climate change, particularly in drought-affected areas

⏭️ What's next: The pilot facility in Korea will start on a small scale, capturing 1,000 tons of carbon per year, and if successful this project could influence similar initiatives globally
• The larger goal is to capture 500,000 tons annually by 2026, highlighting ambitious plans for growth and environmental impact

💬 One quote: “What we are trying to do is really to decarbonize the water sector” (Leo Park, Vice President for Strategic Development at Capture6)

📈 One stat: The pilot project is expected to yield about 14 million gallons of fresh water, enough to supply around 80 homes

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