Explore Climate Tech Solutions
Discover innovative technologies across all stages of development. Use filters to find solutions that match your specific needs.
Discover innovative technologies across all stages of development. Use filters to find solutions that match your specific needs.
Algae-based carbon capture systems use photosynthetic microorganisms to absorb CO2 from industrial emissions or atmosphere, converting it into biomass for biofuels, food, and chemicals with capture rates of 10-50 tons CO2 per hectare daily. These systems achieve 90%+ CO2 capture efficiency while producing valuable biomass products. Companies like Algae Systems and Origin Materials operate pilot facilities with costs targeting $100-300 per ton of CO2 captured.
Ammonia (NH3) produced from renewable energy serves as a carbon-free maritime fuel that can reduce shipping emissions by 80-100% compared to heavy fuel oil while leveraging existing global ammonia distribution infrastructure. Green ammonia contains 18.6 MJ/kg energy density enabling long-distance shipping with fuel costs targeting $500-800 per ton. Companies like MAN Energy Solutions and Wärtsilä are developing ammonia engines with first commercial vessels planned for 2025-2027.
Atmospheric water generation (AWG) systems extract water from air humidity using condensation or adsorption technologies, producing 5-10,000 liters of potable water daily depending on system size. These systems operate at 3-7 kWh per liter in moderate humidity with water quality exceeding WHO standards. Companies like Zero Mass Water and Watergen deploy systems costing $2,000-100,000 with applications from residential to industrial scale. There are claims that even the Inca used this method - climate tech is usually just old methods with some smart engineering over the top.
Aquaponics combines fish farming with hydroponic plant cultivation in closed-loop systems, using fish waste to fertilize plants while plants filter water for fish with 90% less water than traditional agriculture. These systems can produce 3-8 times more vegetables per square meter than soil farming plus 25-40 kg of fish per cubic meter annually. Commercial operations achieve $15-50 revenue per square foot with 2-4 year payback periods.
Plasma gasification uses extremely high temperatures (3,000-10,000°C) to convert municipal solid waste and hazardous materials into syngas and electricity, achieving 85-95% waste volume reduction. These systems can process 100-1,000 tons of waste daily while generating 10-80 MW of electricity with minimal emissions. Companies like Plasco and Advanced Plasma Power operate commercial facilities with costs of $300-800 per ton of waste processed.
District energy systems distribute heating and cooling through insulated pipe networks serving multiple buildings, achieving 20-40% higher efficiency than individual building systems. These networks can integrate renewable energy sources, waste heat recovery, and thermal storage with overall system efficiency of 85-95%. Systems serve 50-50,000 buildings with costs of $1,000-3,000 per kW thermal and 15-25 year payback periods.
Seaweed carbon farming cultivates macroalgae in open ocean environments to sequester atmospheric CO2, with potential to remove 1-10 gigatons of CO2 annually if deployed at scale. Seaweed farms can sequester 20-35 tons of CO2 per hectare annually while producing biomass for food, feed, and biofuels. Companies like Climate Foundation and Running Tide are developing systems with costs targeting $50-150 per ton of CO2 removed.
Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) uses greenhouses, tunnels, and growth chambers to optimize growing conditions, achieving 3-10 times higher yields than field agriculture while reducing water use by 90%. These systems enable year-round production with 95% reduction in pesticide use and predictable harvest timing. Commercial operations range from $5-50 per square foot with payback periods of 3-7 years for high-value crops.
Carbon fiber production from recycled materials including end-of-life composites and alternative feedstocks reduces manufacturing emissions by 50-70% while maintaining 90% + of virgin material performance. This recycling process costs 30-50% less than virgin carbon fiber production with growing demand from aerospace and automotive sectors. Companies like Carbon Conversions and ELG Carbon Fibre produce recycled carbon fiber with annual capacity reaching 10,000+ tons.
Tidal energy systems harness predictable ocean tides to generate electricity through underwater turbines or tidal barrages, providing 12-16 hours of power generation daily with 85% capacity factors. These systems can generate 1-254 MW per installation with 25+ year operational lifespans. Projects like MeyGen in Scotland and Sihwa Lake in South Korea demonstrate commercial viability with costs targeting $0.15-0.25 per kWh.
Biomass gasification combined heat and power (CHP) systems convert organic waste into synthesis gas for electricity generation while capturing waste heat for industrial processes, achieving 80-90% overall efficiency. These systems can process 10-100 tons of biomass daily producing 1-10 MW of electricity plus thermal energy. Companies like Nexterra and Ankur Scientific deploy systems with costs of $3,000-6,000 per kW and feedstock costs of $30-80 per ton.
Geothermal heat pump systems use stable underground temperatures to provide heating and cooling with 300-500% efficiency compared to conventional HVAC systems, reducing energy consumption by 25-50%. These systems can serve individual buildings or district-scale networks with 20-25 year operational lifespans. Installation costs range from $10,000-25,000 for residential systems with 5-10 year payback periods through energy savings.
Robotic crop monitoring and harvesting systems use computer vision, AI, and automation to monitor plant health, optimize inputs, and harvest crops with 95% + accuracy while reducing labor requirements by 50-80%. These systems can reduce pesticide use by 30-50% through targeted application and early disease detection. Companies like Blue River Technology and Harvest CROO deploy robots costing $100,000-500,000 with 3-5 year payback periods for large farms.
Industrial symbiosis networks connect multiple companies to share energy, water, materials, and by-products, reducing waste by 50-80% and energy consumption by 20-40% compared to standalone operations. These eco-industrial parks create closed-loop systems where one company's waste becomes another's input material. Successful networks like Kalundborg in Denmark involve 5-15 companies with collective cost savings of $15-25 million annually.
Hydrogen fuel cell trains provide zero-emission rail transportation with 400-1,000 km range and 160 km/h operating speeds, replacing diesel locomotives on non-electrified lines. These trains achieve 35-45% fuel cell efficiency with hydrogen consumption of 0.3-0.4 kg per km. Companies like Alstom and Siemens deploy commercial hydrogen trains with operating costs 10-20% higher than diesel but eliminating local emissions.
Silvopasture integrates trees, forage plants, and livestock in managed systems that sequester 1-5 tons of CO2 per hectare annually while improving animal welfare and farm productivity. These agroforestry systems can increase farm income by 35-45% through diversified products including timber, fruits, and improved livestock performance. Organizations like Project Drawdown estimate silvopasture could sequester 31.19 gigatons of CO2 globally with adoption on suitable agricultural lands.
Electric arc furnace (EAF) steel production using renewable electricity can reduce steelmaking emissions by 85-95% compared to coal-based blast furnaces while recycling scrap steel. This technology produces steel using 50-75% less energy with electricity costs representing 15-25% of production costs. Companies like Nucor and Steel Dynamics operate EAF facilities producing 30% of global steel with costs competitive to traditional methods.
Electric Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems use dedicated lanes and electric buses to provide high-capacity urban transportation with 70-90% lower emissions than diesel buses. These systems can carry 20,000-35,000 passengers per hour per direction while reducing urban air pollution and noise. Cities like Bogotá and Istanbul operate large-scale electric BRT systems with total costs of $3-15 million per km including infrastructure.
Flywheel energy storage systems store kinetic energy in rotating masses spinning at 20,000-50,000 RPM, providing millisecond response times for grid frequency regulation with 85-95% round-trip efficiency. These systems deliver high power output for 15-60 minutes with 20+ year operational lifespans and minimal maintenance requirements. Companies like Beacon Power and Vycon deploy flywheel systems costing $1,000-4,000 per kW for power quality and backup applications.
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems use mirrors to focus sunlight for thermal energy production, enabling electricity generation with 10-15 hour molten salt storage for dispatchable renewable power. Modern CSP plants achieve 40-50% thermal efficiency with costs of $0.06-0.10 per kWh including storage. Projects like Noor Ouarzazate and Solana represent gigawatt-scale deployments with capacity factors of 40-70% including storage.
Biochar is produced through pyrolysis of organic waste materials at 400-700°C in oxygen-limited environments, creating a stable carbon material that sequesters CO2 for 100+ years while improving soil fertility. Biochar application can sequester 1-3 tons of CO2 per hectare annually while increasing crop yields by 10-20%. Companies like Carbonfuture and Pacific Biochar produce biochar with costs of $200-500 per ton and carbon removal verification systems.
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) systems generate electricity from temperature differences between warm surface water and cold deep water in tropical oceans, providing continuous baseload power with 3-5% thermal efficiency. These systems can produce 10-100 MW of power while providing additional benefits including air conditioning, desalination, and aquaculture. Companies like Makai Ocean Engineering and Ocean Thermal Energy Corporation are developing commercial systems with electricity costs targeting $0.15-0.25 per kWh.
Advanced methane monitoring systems use satellite imagery, drone sensors, and IoT devices to detect and quantify methane emissions from livestock operations, enabling 20-40% emission reductions through improved management practices. These systems provide real-time data on emission sources with detection sensitivity below 10 kg/hour. Companies like GHGSat and Kayrros deploy monitoring systems with costs of $5,000-50,000 per facility depending on scale.
Vertical farming systems grow crops in stacked layers using LED lighting and hydroponic/aeroponic systems, achieving 95% water savings and 365-day growing seasons while using 95% less land than traditional agriculture. These controlled environment systems can produce 10-20 times more crops per square meter with zero pesticide use. Companies like AeroFarms and Plenty operate commercial facilities with production costs targeting $2-5 per kg for leafy greens.
Additive manufacturing (3D printing) for aerospace applications produces complex metal components with 40-60% weight reduction and 50-90% material waste reduction compared to traditional machining. This technology enables on-demand production, reduces supply chain complexity, and creates geometries impossible with conventional manufacturing. Companies like GE Additive and EOS produce aerospace parts with costs 20-50% lower than traditional manufacturing for complex geometries.
Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) incorporate solar cells directly into building materials including windows, roofing, and facades, generating electricity while serving structural functions. BIPV systems achieve 10-20% efficiency with costs of $3-8 per watt installed, offsetting 30-70% of building electricity consumption. Companies like Onyx Solar and SolarWindow are deploying systems with 25-year warranties and payback periods of 8-15 years.
Gravity energy storage systems store energy by lifting heavy masses during excess electricity periods and releasing them to generate power when needed, achieving 80-90% round-trip efficiency with 4-8 hour duration storage. These systems use abandoned mine shafts, purpose-built towers, or underground caverns with 35-year operational lifespans. Companies like Energy Vault and Gravitricity are deploying commercial systems with costs targeting $150-300 per MWh.
Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) spreads crushed silicate rocks on agricultural lands to accelerate natural weathering processes that remove CO2 from the atmosphere and store it permanently as bicarbonate ions. This process can sequester 0.5-2 tons of CO2 per hectare annually while improving soil pH and crop yields by 5-15%. Companies like UNDO and Lithos are conducting field trials with costs targeting $50-100 per ton of CO2 removed.
Regenerative Ocean Farming grows seaweed and shellfish together in vertical underwater farms that sequester carbon, reduce ocean acidity, and produce sustainable food with negative environmental impact. These polyculture systems can sequester 20 tons of CO2 per hectare annually while producing 25-50 tons of seaweed and 200-500 tons of shellfish. Companies like GreenWave and Ocean Approved operate farms with production costs of $2-5 per kg for seaweed and $3-8 per kg for shellfish.
Cellular agriculture produces meat directly from animal cells without raising livestock, potentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80-96% and land use by 95% compared to conventional meat production[1]. Cultivated meat uses cell lines grown in bioreactors with nutrient media to produce identical muscle tissue. Companies like UPSIDE Foods and GOOD Meat have received regulatory approval with production costs targeting $5-10 per pound by 2030[2].
Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is engineered wood made from layers of lumber boards stacked crosswise and bonded with adhesives, enabling construction of buildings up to 18 stories while storing 0.8-1.0 tons of CO2 per cubic meter. CLT construction reduces embodied carbon by 25-50% compared to concrete and steel while offering faster construction times. Companies like Stora Enso and KLH produce CLT panels with costs of $8-12 per square foot and growing adoption in Europe and North America.
Electric micromobility sharing systems including e-bikes, e-scooters, and e-mopeds provide sustainable urban transportation with 90% lower emissions than car trips for distances under 5 km. These systems serve 15-20% of urban trips in major cities with 400+ million rides globally in 2023. Companies like Lime, Bird, and Voi operate fleets with operational costs of $0.15-0.30 per km and user costs of $0.25-0.50 per minute.
Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) produced from waste feedstocks including municipal solid waste, agricultural residues, and used cooking oil can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by 50-80% compared to conventional jet fuel. These drop-in replacement fuels meet existing engine specifications while utilizing waste streams that would otherwise generate methane emissions. Companies like Fulcrum BioEnergy and Neste have commercial production facilities with costs targeting $3-4 per gallon.
Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES) systems store energy by liquefying air at -196°C during off-peak periods, then releasing and expanding the liquid air to drive turbines when power is needed. LAES achieves 50-70% round-trip efficiency with 4-8 hour duration storage and virtually unlimited capacity scaling. Highview Power has deployed commercial systems including a 50 MWh facility in the UK, with costs targeting $140-200 per MWh.
Small Modular Reactors (SMR) are advanced nuclear reactors with power capacities of 50-300 MW, designed for enhanced safety, reduced capital costs, and flexible deployment. These factory-built reactors feature passive safety systems and can provide 24/7 carbon-free baseload power with 90%+ capacity factors. Companies like NuScale and Rolls-Royce have received design approvals, with first commercial deployments targeted for 2029-2030.
Revolutionary battery technologies including lithium-air batteries achieving 1000+ Wh/kg theoretical energy density and all-solid-state batteries demonstrating 500+ Wh/kg with enhanced safety.
Direct solar-to-hydrogen conversion achieving 19% efficiency through artificial photosynthesis systems. Tandem photoelectrochemical cells enable direct solar fuel production without external electricity.
Revolutionary clean energy source with ITER project demonstrating pathway to commercial fusion power. Recent breakthrough achieved record 69 megajoules of fusion energy through magnetic confinement.
Accelerated natural carbon mineralization using crushed silicate minerals that could sequester gigatons of CO2 annually. Olivine mineral weathering permanently removes atmospheric CO2 through natural chemical reactions.
Next-generation solar cells using quantum dots achieving record 16.6% efficiency with theoretical potential exceeding 30%. Tandem architectures with perovskite-silicon combinations demonstrate 29.15% efficiency in laboratory conditions.
Highly efficient electric rail transportation that is 6x more energy efficient than road transport, with high-speed rail reducing emissions by 80% vs aviation. Battery trains enable electrification of non-electrified lines.
Carbon-free marine fuels including green ammonia and methanol for decarbonizing shipping, which accounts for 3% of global CO2 emissions. Green methanol can reduce shipping emissions by 95% while meeting IMO 2050 targets.
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles offering 300+ mile range with 5-minute refueling, optimal for long-haul heavy-duty transport. Green hydrogen production costs are falling rapidly, making hydrogen mobility increasingly viable for transportation applications.
AI-powered systems and smart technologies addressing the one-third of food produced globally that is lost or wasted. Advanced systems can reduce food waste by 60% while generating $940 billion in annual economic benefits.
Holistic farming practices that rebuild soil health and capture carbon, potentially sequestering 1.85 GtCO2 annually. Uses cover crops, diverse rotations, and reduced tillage to increase farm biodiversity by 40%.
Revolutionary protein production including plant-based, cultivated meat, and fermentation-derived proteins that could reach $290 billion by 2035. Produces 90% fewer emissions than conventional meat while using 95% less water and 75% less land.
Advanced farming technology using GPS, sensors, and data analytics to optimize crop production while reducing fertilizer use by 30-50%. Variable rate technology and real-time monitoring enable precise resource application based on field conditions.
Advanced chemical recycling technologies converting plastic waste into high-quality raw materials, creating truly circular plastic economy. Molecular recycling breaks down plastics to chemical building blocks, enabling infinite recycling without quality degradation.
High-temperature heat pumps delivering up to 200°C for industrial processes, replacing fossil fuel boilers and reducing emissions by 70%. Advanced refrigerant cycles enable efficient heat recovery and process heating for manufacturing operations.
Advanced carbon capture systems specifically designed for cement plants, capturing 90% + of process emissions. Combines post-combustion capture with innovative calcination processes to address both energy and process emissions from cement production.
Revolutionary steel production using hydrogen instead of coal, eliminating up to 95% of CO2 emissions from steelmaking. Direct reduction with green hydrogen replaces traditional blast furnaces, producing water vapor instead of carbon dioxide.
Biochar is created by heating organic biomass in low-oxygen environments (pyrolysis), producing a stable carbon material that can sequester carbon for centuries. High-quality biochar retains 70-80% carbon content and improves soil fertility, water retention, and crop yields. Each ton of biochar can sequester 2-3 tons of CO2 equivalent while providing agricultural co-benefits and waste management solutions.
Smart building energy management systems use IoT sensors, AI algorithms, and automated controls to optimize energy consumption in real-time. These systems achieve 20-30% energy savings through demand response, predictive analytics, and automated HVAC/lighting controls. Integration with renewable energy and storage enables buildings to participate in grid services while reducing operational costs and carbon footprint.
Electric aviation uses battery-electric or hybrid-electric propulsion to reduce aviation emissions and noise. Electric aircraft range from small 2-seat trainer aircraft to 19-seat commuter planes, with companies like Eviation, Heart Aerospace, and Wright Electric developing commercial models. Current limitations include battery energy density and range, with most electric aircraft targeting short-haul flights under 500 km initially.
Sodium-ion batteries use abundant sodium instead of lithium for energy storage, offering a potentially lower-cost alternative for grid storage. Commercial production began in 2023 with energy densities of 120-150 Wh/kg and costs projected to reach $40-60/kWh by 2030 .
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) feature a vertical rotor shaft and can capture wind from any direction without orientation systems. Modern VAWTs achieve 35-40% efficiency in urban environments with turbulent winds, making them suitable for distributed generation where horizontal turbines struggle.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) captures CO2 emissions from industrial sources and power plants, then transports and permanently stores the CO2 underground. Current CCS projects capture over 40 million tons of CO2 annually , with costs ranging from $50-100 per ton for industrial sources.
Heat pumps provide highly efficient heating and cooling by transferring heat rather than generating it through combustion. Modern heat pumps achieve 300-500% efficiency (COP 3-5) compared to 80-95% for gas furnaces. Global heat pump sales reached 190 million units in 2022, growing 11% annually.
Electric vehicle fast charging technology enables rapid battery charging at power levels of 150-350 kW, reducing charging times to 15-30 minutes for 10-80% charge. Ultra-fast charging networks are expanding globally, with over 60,000 fast charging stations operational in 2023 .
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries offer a safer, longer-lasting alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries. With lifespans exceeding 6,000 cycles, LFP batteries provide enhanced thermal stability and reduced fire risk compared to other lithium-ion chemistries. Cost /kWh with energy densities of 90-120 Wh/kg, making them ideal for electric vehicles, grid storage, and stationary applications where safety and longevity are prioritized over energy density.