NETs@Helmholtz Retreat 2024 Report

Drawing Strength from Nature

The NETs@Helmholtz Research School offers its graduate students one retreat per year. During these retreats, field trips, workshops, and discussions provide us with the opportunity for internal and external exchange, deepening our specialist knowledge as well as transferable skills, allowing us to find the time to build new friendships.

Iceland has established itself as one of the key players for the commercialization and scale-up of Direct Air Capture (DAC) and offers a unique experience in terms of landscape and natural phenomena. Therefore, it serves as an incredibly attractive destination for a retreat.

What makes Iceland so special for DAC companies is the abundant availability of geothermal energy, as well as its geological setup. The geothermal plants are capable of providing the necessary heat for the regeneration of DAC sorbents at low cost, and the existing basalt formations allow for the immediate and permanent storage of captured CO₂. These two factors led to the construction of the first large-scale DAC plant, Mammoth, which can capture and store 36,000 tons of CO₂ annually. It becomes apparent that without these unique natural properties, the rapid development of Direct Air Capture would not have been possible. In this sense, the DAC plant draws its energy and strength from Iceland's natural environment. We at NETs@Helmholtz are inspired by this harmony between technology and nature. First and foremost, we want to use this retreat to learn more about the commercialization of Direct Air Capture and CO₂ storage. Furthermore, the peaceful nature of Iceland gives us the opportunity to reflect inward and ask ourselves: How can we draw strength from nature?

The NETs@Helmholtz retreat began on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, with a warm welcome from both our head of the research school Prof. Roland Dittmeyer as well as our project coordinator Dr. Dhana Wolf. In the first meeting, new members of the research school were introduced and warmly welcomed, and the schedule for the retreat was presented. Afterwards, we held a workshop to plan our research school outreach projects, followed by an afternoon workshop focused on mental health. Thomas Schöb provided us with a valuable opportunity to share our experiences and struggles during our PhD journeys. This session allowed us to learn from one another and realize that our challenges are often similar. The remainder of the day was dedicated to introducing the new PhD students to the research school. In the evening, we had a "fireplace talk", a unique format where experts are invited to share their stories and knowledge in a relaxed setting. Our guest of honor was Sandra Ó. Snæbjörnsdóttir, chief scientist of Carbfix. Sandra conveyed her deep passion for Direct Air Capture and Storage technology and the fight against climate change. Both the PhD students and the PIs had the opportunity to ask questions about Sandra’s career and personal journey, as well as the Carbfix technology, which focuses on CO₂ mineralization and underground storage.

On Wednesday, we started with our first field trip to the geothermal power plant Hellisheiði (pronounced “het-lis-hay-thee”), operated by ON Power. After a short drive, we found ourselves in the beautiful landscape surrounding Reykjavik. Between large basaltic rocks and small black hills partly covered in steam, we were first introduced to the concept of geothermal energy and how Iceland has the perfect conditions for large-scale implementation of this renewable energy. The power plant we visited generates both electricity via steam turbines and hot water for the heating systems of Reykjavik. At the same location, Carbfix reinjects CO₂-saturated water into the basalt, effectively storing CO₂ underground. Consequently, we also met the head of research and innovation at Carbfix, Kári Helgason, who told us about the Carbfix process. He explained the chemistry behind it and the location-specific requirements for CO₂ mineralization and permanent underground storage. After the talks, we visited one of their injection wells on-site. From the outside, the injection wells look like little metal igloos. This metal casing, however, only acts as a barrier to the harsh Icelandic weather. Inside, a pipe network can be found. One of those pipes, containing water and CO₂, is used to pump this mixture underground, where it spreads through the cracks and pores of the basaltic bedrock, etching the minerals along the way and ultimately securely storing the CO₂ by mineralization of carbonates.

In the afternoon, we visited two of Iceland’s renowned landmarks. Our first stop was at the Great Geysir (Stóri Geysir), located about 100 minutes west of Reykjavik. First documented in texts from 1294, it is the oldest known active geyser in the world. The highest recorded eruption reached approximately 170 meters in 1845. However, it erupts at very irregular intervals, and unfortunately, we were unable to witness an eruption during our visit. Adjacent to the Great Geysir are several smaller geysers, one of which is Strokkur. This geyser erupts roughly every ten minutes, sometimes even three times in succession. With average eruption heights of 15 to 20 meters and occasional bursts reaching up to 40 meters, Strokkur offers a striking visual demonstration of geothermal forces at work. Our next stop was Gullfoss, also known as the Golden Waterfall. This impressive waterfall spans about 20 meters in width and features two distinct tiers: the smaller first tier drops around 11 meters, while the larger second tier plunges about 21 meters deep. The two tiers are oriented perpendicularly to one another, with a viewing platform located at the corner, level with the first tier. Standing there, we were in awe as we witnessed the massive volume of water rushing by, averaging 109 cubic meters per second. Gullfoss truly provides an imposing testament to the power of nature. At both locations we had enough time to stroll around the area and explore steaming puddles, hot water jets and deep cliffs. After this eventful day we not only learned about the beauty of nature but also about how it may help to solve our energy and CO₂ problems.

On Thursday, we had our second company visit and this time we visited Climeworks. Shortly after we arrived at the newly constructed Mammoth plant, we were given a presentation on some key facts on their employed technology and operating plants. After the presentation and a short round of questions, the main event of the day, the guided tour through the Mammoth plant started. For all of us, PhDs and PIs alike, this meant experiencing large-scale Direct Air Capture for the first time. We were able to see the collectors up close and understand how much downstream processing of the CO₂ is needed to prepare it for underground storage. After the tour, we also had a chance to meet an engineer of the plant, who was able to answer more in-depth questions about the technology and what it takes to operate DAC in the real world. After experiencing Mammoth, we drove over to Climeworks’ first commercial Direct Air Capture plant called Orca. Although being small in comparison to the Mammoth plant, it was exciting to see the beginnings of their trails in the field. In the afternoon, we held our annual PI Day. The PI Day is a format which aims at improving the communication between PhD students and PIs. This is designed to fill knowledge gaps or even plan new collaborations. Firstly, the PhD students presented their research topic and questions they prepared for the PIs. Afterwards, we had two sessions in which we formed small groups to discuss the questions, ideas or concerns the PhDs had. We concluded that the different fields of expertise of the DACStorE project partners provide a wide range of possibilities for new collaborations.

Friday marked already the last day of the Retreat 2024. We started the day with a wrap-up and evaluation of the last couple of days. Afterwards, we packed our bags and put on our hiking shoes to prepare for a half-day hiking trip. Hiking in nature is proven to reduces one’s stress level and spark creativity. The combination of exercise and reconnecting to nature helps our well-being and to find balance within ourselves. In the truest sense, we are drawing strength from nature. Therefore, the hiking trip did not only round off the Retreat 2024 but also our previously established motto for the week: After finding strength in nature, we are even more determined to help conserve it and might also find solutions for our pending problems in its beauty.

After arriving by bus at the parking lot that marked the starting point of the 12 km round trip to the Fagradalsfjall volcano, we were struck by the significance of our destination. The eruption of this volcano in 2021 was the first on the Reykjavik peninsula in over 800 years. Beginning in April and continuing through several distinct phases until September, the eruption produced a staggering 151 million cubic meters of lava, covering an area of 4.8 km². In 2022 and 2023, smaller-scale eruptions occurred, further transforming the landscape into something drastically surreal. The typical low vegetation of Iceland, primarily consisting of moss, diminished even further as we ascended the 230-meter elevation gain. About halfway along the trail, we caught our first glimpse of the lower end of the lava fields. From that point onward, the pitch-black lava rocks became our constant companions. Upon reaching the end of the trail, we stood at an overlook that provided a sweeping view of the vast lava field. Some of us even ventured out onto the field for a closer look, gaining a better appreciation of the otherworldly landscape. The black stones appeared as though they were still flowing, frozen in motion. The thin layers of porous rock crunched beneath our feet as we moved toward cracks that still released warm gas or steam. On our return, clouds descended, enveloping the higher parts of the trail in fog and enhancing the surreal ambiance of this eerie landscape. The impressions and experiences of this hike are beyond words. Confronted with such scenery and the underlying geological processes, we became acutely aware of how small we are in the grand scheme of nature, and how insignificant our efforts seem compared to the immense forces at play. Yet, the breathtaking sights we encountered that day also underscored the importance of preserving nature as much as possible.

Overall, this retreat to Iceland was an amazing experience that went beyond our expectations. It allowed us to dive deep into the industrial application of Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology while also enjoying the stunning beauty of nature. Surrounded by Iceland's incredible landscapes, like its waterfalls and volcanos, we were constantly reminded of the strength and beauty of nature. The retreat helped us not only learn more about DAC but also strengthen our connections with each other. The collaborative atmosphere encouraged open discussions, leading to new ideas and potential partnerships which will help us moving forward. Overall, this retreat was a fantastic mix of learning, inspiration, and teamwork. We left feeling refreshed and even more dedicated to our shared goal of using technology to create a sustainable future.