Deep Sky Alpha Launches North America's First Direct Air Capture CO₂ Storage Facility

Historic Milestone Achieved

In a groundbreaking development for carbon removal technologies, Deep Sky has officially launched Deep Sky Alpha, the first facility in North America dedicated to the storage of CO₂ captured directly from the air. Located on 5 acres in a dedicated industrial park in Innisfail, Alberta, this project marks a significant advance in the urgent battle against climate change.

After just one year from the groundbreaking ceremony, the team at Deep Sky has successfully transitioned from construction to full operational capacity. This swift turnaround showcases the rapid deployment of climate infrastructure, crucial in addressing global carbon emissions. Deep Sky Alpha integrates multiple direct air capture (DAC) technologies, enhancing scalability, speed, and innovation. The facility enables real-world operations while optimizing various technologies under consistent conditions, aiming to expedite the journey toward scalable and economically viable carbon elimination.

Key Features of Deep Sky Alpha

The establishment of Deep Sky Alpha is not just a milestone for the company but a pivotal moment for the global carbon removal sector. According to Alex Petre, CEO of Deep Sky, “In just one year, we have gone from breaking ground to actively extracting carbon from the atmosphere and ensuring its permanent sequestration underground. Companies worldwide are seeking sustainable and high-quality carbon removal systems to offset their carbon footprints. With Deep Sky Alpha, we are proving that this is not just a possibility; it is a reality.”

Deep Sky Alpha is now the first DAC installation in North America to permanently sequester captured CO₂ underground. The CO₂ collected is stored within deep geological formations known as saline aquifers, which are plentiful in Alberta, making this facility a key player in tackling hard-to-abate emissions and driving towards net-zero commitments.

Rebecca Schulz, Alberta's Minister of the Environment and Protected Areas, commented, “Alberta continues to lead the way by attracting world-class innovations, and this is yet another example of a company choosing Alberta for its skilled workforce, robust regulatory system, and commitment to responsible development. We are proud to see companies investing here, thereby demonstrating once again that Alberta is the best place in the world for building, innovating, and growing.”

This facility incorporates several direct air capture units sourced from around the world. The first phase includes units from companies like Airhive and Mission Zero Technologies of the UK, and Skyrenu from Quebec. Additional units are scheduled for installation later this fall, with a projected total of up to ten units.

Sustainability Initiatives

A significant advantage of Deep Sky Alpha is its strategic location, providing access to renewable energy sources alongside proximity to geologic storage options. The fully solar-powered installation is set to capture around 3,000 tons of CO₂ annually. Moreover, the project has created over 110 construction jobs and will employ around 15 full-time operators. Continuous monitoring of Alpha’s capture and sequestration progress will be undertaken using proprietary software, which will also be made accessible to the public through Deep Sky’s website.

Deep Sky Alpha represents the first step in a global carbon removal effort, with large-scale projects already in progress in Alberta, Quebec, and beyond. This facility leverages a recent $40 million grant from Breakthrough Energy Catalyst and agreements for carbon credit purchases with corporations like Microsoft and the Royal Bank of Canada.

Deep Sky provides high-integrity carbon removal credits to help companies fulfill their decarbonization commitments. While credits for Deep Sky Alpha are already pre-sold, interested buyers can contact [email protected] for information on reserving credits for future commercial projects.

About Deep Sky

Based in Montreal, Deep Sky is recognized as a leading developer in the global carbon removal scene, committed to eliminating gigatons of carbon from the atmosphere and ensuring its permanent underground storage. The company effectively brings together the most promising direct air capture and ocean extraction technologies to market, offering the highest quality carbon credits while catalyzing innovative solutions for carbon removal and storage like never before. With a total funding of $130 million, Deep Sky enjoys the support of esteemed investors, including Investissement Québec, Brightspark Ventures, Whitecap Venture Partners, OMERS Ventures, BDC Climate Fund, Breakthrough Energy Catalyst, BMO, and the National Bank of Canada. For further details, visit deepskyclimate.com.