An air capture system devised at the University of Twente in the Netherlands extracts carbon dioxide from Part of the carbon dioxide-harvesting unit at the University of Twente. Source: Gijs van Ouwerkerkambient air for use in algae cultivation. The technology might also be used in a closed system for solar and wind energy storage.

The unit is designed to capture 500 g of CO₂ from ambient air per day by use of sorbents. After collecting CO₂, the sorbent particles travel to the top of a 6 m column, where they flow through a heated desorber and release the gas to an algae reservoir.

The net energy consumption of the system is relatively low, and energy costs of about 75 Euro/1,000 kg of CO₂ are deemed competitive. One unit reportedly harvests as much gas as four mature trees.

The technology can be deployed anywhere and could also prove useful for greenhouse farming or renewable energy storage. Solar- or wind-generated power heat CO₂ and hydrogen in a process that yields water and methane, which in turn can heat buildings or power turbines. This scheme is currently being piloted in a housing complex in Rozenburg.