Caravel Bio is developing a new approach to carbon capture by using engineered proteins. This method aims to make the process of removing carbon dioxide from the air more cost-efficient than current chemical-based systems. By focusing on protein engineering, the company seeks to reduce the energy requirements and material costs associated with carbon removal, potentially speeding up the deployment of large-scale capture technology.
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Caravel Bio is trying to use engineered proteins to bring down the cost of carbon capture. It is an interesting pivot from traditional chemical solvents, but we need to see the actual energy requirements for the protein synthesis.
The cost of the protein is one thing, but what about the energy penalty for the regeneration cycle? If this requires massive amounts of heat or power to release the captured CO2, the grid impact remains the same.
I wonder how this scales in a real industrial setting. Proteins can be fragile. If they degrade quickly in a dirty flue gas stream, the maintenance costs will eat any efficiency gains.
The viability of this depends on 45Q tax credits or similar subsidies. Until the cost per ton drops below the current incentive levels, these protein-based methods will stay in the lab.
