Horizon Power has completed a three-month trial of carbon capture technology for diesel generators, in collaboration with Melbourne-based start-up Kapture. The trial, conducted in Perth, represents the first real-world application of Kapture’s system, which captures CO2 directly from diesel generator exhaust and turns it into a storable substance for use in concrete production.
In a previous project with Perth’s PERMAcast, Kapture successfully demonstrated the permanent integration of captured carbon into concrete, replacing part of the traditional cement with the carbon-rich byproduct. Kapture reported that the outcome of that demonstration “exceeded expectations.”
During the Perth trial, Horizon Power and Kapture tested the technology on a standalone generator to assess its impact on both generator performance and carbon capture efficiency. The system successfully captured about 45% of CO2 emissions from the exhaust, while using less than 8% of the generator’s total energy—a significant improvement compared to traditional carbon capture systems, which typically consume between 20% and 45% of energy output.
The technology works by using a solvent, likely amine-based, to capture the CO2. Over time, solvents can degrade, potentially releasing unwanted compounds into the environment. However, Kapture claims that for every tonne of solvent used, 0.7 to 1.2 tonnes of CO2 emissions are offset in cement production.
Horizon Power’s Acting CEO, Krystal Skinner, commented, “Diesel fuel is difficult and costly to reduce in small regional microgrids. While we’re focused on increasing renewable energy, it’s crucial to reduce our carbon footprint as much as possible in the meantime.”
Diesel generators continue to be a key energy source for remote microgrids in Western Australia, where incorporating renewable energy is challenging. Horizon Power aims to expand its use of renewables but views technologies like Kapture’s as vital for reducing emissions from existing diesel-powered systems.
Despite its potential, small-scale carbon capture remains costly. The International Energy Agency and the Global CCS Institute estimate that capturing and compressing CO2 from dilute sources like diesel exhaust could cost between $100 and $150 per tonne.
The results of this pilot will help Horizon Power plan future trials and strategies for cutting emissions from its diesel-based energy systems.
