Field Trips
Field trip to Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT) in Retreat 2023
"As the finale of the week, we were lucky enough to visit the energy labs at KIT where we saw a multitude of devices that already demonstrate the technologies we and others in our field are researching."
Field Trip to NeoCarbon
Field trip to Climeworks in Retreat 2024
"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. "
Field Trip to ON Power / Carbfix in Retreat 2024
"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."
Field Trip to Calgary, Canada
Our PhD Student Constanze Baust sent her best regards from Calgary, Canada where she was for two months!
"From August 1 to October 1, 2024, I was able to spend two months doing research at the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary in Canada. There I had the opportunity to talk to several experts in the field of Canadian environmental law, CCS and CDR in Canada. I was hosted by Prof. Anna-Maria Hubert, who offered me to work in her office and also gave me feedback on my research so far, which was very helpful. In addition to that, I was able to talk to Carbon Engineering, a Canadian company that is developing a Direct Air Capture technology. I got a lot of advice, literature and new insights from the professors in the faculty. They all helped me, answered my questions, and they were interested in my research and background.", says Constanze
Last Modified: 15.04.2025
