Prometheus Unveils World’s Cheapest Carbon Capture

In a significant development for clean energy, Prometheus Fuels has announced a major breakthrough in Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology. They've cut the cost of CO₂ removal to under $50 per ton. This achievement represents an over 80% reduction compared to the industry average of $200 to $600 per ton, making Prometheus the global leader in low-cost DAC solutions. The company’s breakthrough improves the economic feasibility of carbon-neutral fuels and sets the stage for large-scale decarbonization in some of the toughest energy-intensive sectors.

This advancement allows the creation of e-fuels that can be sold at fossil fuel prices without needing government subsidies. These carbon-neutral e-fuels can provide continuous power to sectors such as artificial intelligence infrastructure, aviation, industrial manufacturing, green steel production, maritime transport, and urban power grids. With this, Prometheus is ready to change the global clean energy landscape by offering a sustainable alternative to conventional fuels in terms of both affordability and accessibility.

The breakthrough is seen in Prometheus’ new 200-ton-per-year DAC system, under construction at the company’s headquarters in California. This system builds on their existing 16-ton-per-year operational platform and uses Prometheus’ proprietary Faraday Reactor, which is a patented hydrocarbon electrolysis technology. Unlike traditional DAC systems that require complex and energy-heavy steps like gas purification and compression, Prometheus’ method captures CO₂ directly from the air into water and processes it electrochemically. This innovation dramatically cuts energy use and capital costs, leading to unprecedented savings in carbon capture.

Prometheus founder and CEO Rob McGinnis highlighted the potential of the new technology. “Low-cost DAC unlocks the best solar locations, far from CO₂ point sources,” McGinnis said. “By developing a new low-cost DAC technology with our Faraday Reactor, we’ve brought carbon capture below $50 a ton and made truly affordable e-fuels possible for the first time.”

The announcement comes at an important time as global governments and industries rush to transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. While traditional fossil fuels still dominate the energy scene, scalable and affordable alternatives have been hard to find. Prometheus’ new system removes the need for point-source carbon emissions or biomass-derived CO₂, decoupling fuel production from traditional infrastructure. This allows the company to establish modular fuel production systems off-grid, powered entirely by renewable energy where it is most plentiful and affordable, especially in remote areas rich in solar potential.

Ramboll, a global engineering consultancy, has independently verified Prometheus’ system, conducting a detailed techno-economic analysis of its DAC and e-fuel technologies. This validation lends critical credibility to the company’s claims on cost and performance, drawing increased interest from various sectors looking for clean energy solutions that are both scalable and economically sound.

“This isn’t just a scientific breakthrough; it’s a whole new business model,” McGinnis noted. “When you combine ultra-low-cost DAC with modular, off-grid electrochemical fuel production, you provide access to remote solar—the cheapest energy source on the planet—making it available worldwide as a new low-cost source of 24/7, firm, dispatchable, carbon-neutral power.”

At the core of Prometheus’ strategy is geographic and economic flexibility. By enabling off-grid fuel production, the company opens new opportunities for distributed power systems that can be installed anywhere, especially in areas lacking traditional energy infrastructure but rich in renewable energy potential. This approach offers a strong solution for global decarbonization, particularly in hard-to-abate industries.

The company’s Titan Forge Alpha pilot plant, running for over four years, has already shown the commercial viability of its e-fuel production. With the launch of the 200-ton-per-year modular system, Prometheus is now ready to scale operations to meet growing demand. As more businesses and countries commit to carbon neutrality goals, Prometheus’ low-cost, off-grid carbon capture and fuel production technology is projected to play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of sustainable energy systems.

In conclusion, Prometheus Fuels' breakthrough is not just a leap forward in carbon capture; it redefines how and where clean fuels can be made. With significantly reduced costs, simplified infrastructure needs, and expanded deployment options, Prometheus has brought the vision of affordable, carbon-neutral energy closer to reality.