CarbonPoint

Market position

Positioned as a supplier of carbon capture technology for the distributed power segment, where low exhaust CO2 concentrations from reciprocating engines and industrial gas turbines have made capture more difficult and expensive than at other emission sources. Following the 2021 acquisition, the technology is offered as part of Caterpillar's carbon capture solutions.

Focuses on a segment where exhaust CO2 concentrations of 3-11% have made capture uneconomic, using a patented Semi-Closed Cycle to concentrate CO2 before capture, and offering configurations for both new and retrofit engine and turbine installations.

Technology

The technology originated with U.S. Navy work on undersea propulsion requiring no gaseous exhaust, and was subsequently modified for land-based applications. The patented Semi-Closed Cycle (SCC) system concentrates CO2 in the exhaust of reciprocating engines and gas turbines, where concentrations are normally 3-11% and conventional capture is uneconomic. Alongside the SCC, the product line includes integrated or standalone capture systems using advanced molecular sieve technology. Systems can be configured for specific applications and equipment and applied to both greenfield installations and retrofits.

Go-to-market

Technology supplied for integration with engines and turbines at customer sites, applicable to new builds and retrofits; since the acquisition it is distributed through Caterpillar's Oil & Gas offering, including Cat engines and Solar gas turbines.

Operators of distributed power and mechanical-drive equipment, including oil and gas sites such as gas compressor stations, distributed power generation, industrial plants and waste-to-energy sites. The company cites more than 10,000 U.S. compressor stations, many near fields suitable for CO2-enhanced oil recovery, and notes that 90% of EOR-compatible fields currently lack a CO2 source.

Geography

U.S.-based, headquartered in Rhode Island.

History

The company operated as Enhanced Energy Group, Inc. under the CarbonPoint Solutions name, commercializing a patented carbon capture process derived from U.S. Navy undersea propulsion technology. Its leadership team included David Paratore as Chief Executive Officer, founder Paul Dunn as President and Chief Technology Officer, Halley Dickey as Chief Operating Officer and Rick Mobley as Treasurer, Secretary and Director of Renewable Energy, with Peter Van Nort as Chairman of the Board. Caterpillar Inc. completed its acquisition of the company on 10 September 2021, and Caterpillar representatives Craig Lange and Michael Young are listed as board observers.