RWFI Direct Air Capture Workforce

What is Direct Air Capture?

Direct Air Capture (DAC) is a technology that removes carbon dioxide (CO₂) directly from the atmosphere using chemical processes. Air is drawn through filters or contactors that bind CO₂, often using solid or liquid sorbents. Once captured, the CO₂ can be stored permanently underground in geological formations or used in industrial applications like making fuels or building materials. DAC is a promising tool for addressing climate change by reducing atmospheric CO₂, complementing efforts to cut emissions from other sources.

DOE Explains...Direct Air Capture- A short explainer on what DAC is and how it works

Developing a skilled workforce in Direct Air Capture (DAC) is essential for advancing carbon removal technologies and supporting new energy job growth. Here are key resources and initiatives supporting DAC workforce development:

Department of Energy's (DOE) Initiatives

The DOE has launched several programs to promote DAC technologies and workforce training:

NETL Direct Air Capture (DAC) Center: The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) operates a dedicated DAC Center that provides testing facilities and support for emerging DAC technologies. This center collaborates with government, academia, and the private sector to accelerate DAC solutions.
Carbon Negative Shot Initiative: Part of the DOE's Energy Earthshots series, this initiative aims to scale up carbon removal technologies, including DAC, to remove millions of tons of CO₂ over the next decade. It focuses on reducing costs and developing standardized monitoring and verification methods.

Regional Direct Air Capture Hubs

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has initiated the Regional Direct Air Capture (DAC) Hubs program to develop four large-scale facilities aimed at capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂) directly from the atmosphere. Each hub is designed to capture at least one million metric tons of CO₂ annually, which will then be permanently stored underground or converted into usable products.

In August 2023, the DOE announced the selection of two projects for award negotiations:

South Texas DAC Hub: Located in Kleberg County, Texas, this project is managed by Carbon Engineering, Occidental Petroleum, and Worley Group.
Project Cypress: Situated in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, this initiative is led by Battelle Memorial Institute, Climeworks, and Heirloom Carbon Technologies.

These projects collectively aim to remove two million metric tons of CO₂ from the atmosphere and are expected to create approximately 4,800 jobs.

Rhodium Group's Analysis on DAC Workforce Development

The Rhodium Group's report, "Direct Air Capture Workforce Development: Opportunities by Occupation," provides insights into job creation associated with DAC projects. It estimates that constructing a commercial-scale DAC facility can create approximately 1,215 jobs annually over a five-year period, with about 340 ongoing operational jobs thereafter. The report also details the types of occupations involved, including construction trades, engineers, and maintenance workers.