How the startup, backed by Bill Gates, aims to revolutionize sustainable transportation
by Max Perez
May 10, 2024
For decades, the transportation sector has been a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions and a major driver of climate change. From the early days of the Industrial Revolution, when steam-powered locomotives and combustion engines started, to the modern age of transportation, our reliance on fossil fuels has come at a substantial environmental cost.
Despite technological advancements and efforts to improve fuel efficiency, the ever-increasing demand for transportation services has continued to exacerbate the sector’s carbon footprint. With transportation accounting for approximately 29% of carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. from fuel combustion in 2022, addressing this challenge has become a pressing priority in the fight against climate change and the transition towards a low-carbon future.
Startup Infinium, based in California, is working to tackle this significant challenge of reducing carbon emissions from the transportation sector. It aims to develop innovative technologies that can enable the use of renewable, carbon-neutral fuels in various modes of transportation, particularly in sectors where electrification is not a viable solution, such as aviation and long-haul trucking.
Startup Infinium: progress and processes
The startup was founded in 2020 and is led by Robert Schuetzle as CEO. His background includes roles that involved advancing technologies within the clean energy space and managing projects related to bioenergy and renewable fuels. His expertise in both the technical and business aspects of the energy industry really equips him to guide Infinium’s projects effectively.
Infinium is currently working on 13 projects in Texas and other areas. The magic is being done at their industrial plant in Corpus Christi. This is where they harness the power of renewable energy from nearby wind and solar farms to catalyze an electrochemical reaction, splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen components.
This hydrogen is then transported to a specialized reactor, where it encounters carbon dioxide captured from local refineries. Within this reactor, a series of meticulously engineered chemical processes take place. The culmination of these intricate reactions is the synthesis of electrofuels (eFuels) that mirror the molecular properties of traditional fossil-based fuels.
“The vision of decarbonization is the purpose for Infinium,” affirms the startup management in the following video:
Project Roadrunner
Startup Infinium made big news in 2023, announcing a $75 million equity investment from Breakthrough Energy Catalyst, a subsidiary of the Bill Gates-backed Breakthrough Energy Ventures.
The investment was made to Infinium’s Project Roadrunner which will convert carbon dioxide and renewable power into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other low-carbon fuels.
The aviation industry contributes roughly 2–3% of global greenhouse gas emissions annually and is facing distinct challenges in reducing its carbon footprint due to its specific operational constraints.
American Airlines, a leading U.S. airline, joined the investment fund for a commercial agreement where they will be acquiring all the sustainable aviation fuel that startup Infinium produces on a long-term commitment.
“This project is a landmark achievement for the development of sustainable aviation fuels and the offtake agreement provides a model for the entire aviation industry on how to effect change and support the scale-up of capital-intensive projects” said Mario Fernandez, Head of Breakthrough Energy Catalyst to American Airlines newsroom.
Looking ahead: the path to net-zero mobility
Infinium’s partnership agreements have not only been limited to American Airlines. The startup now counts Amazon as an investor who will be acquiring its e-fuel for its freight operations to reach its goal of net-zero carbon by 2040.
Both collaborations highlight the growing momentum behind e-fuels as a viable solution for decarbonizing the transportation sector. However, challenges remain. E-fuel production is currently an energy-intensive process, and the scaling of production to meet global demand will require a significant increase in renewable energy sources. Additionally, the cost of e-fuels needs to be competitive with traditional jet fuel. Despite these hurdles, the potential of e-fuels to decarbonize air travel is undeniable.
Beyond technological advancements, achieving net-zero mobility requires an integrated approach that addresses systemic issues. This goes beyond just technology and includes promoting public transportation, cycling, and walkable cities.
Throwing money at development won’t be enough to get us to a sustainable transportation future. We need a fundamental cultural shift that prioritizes net-zero mobility. While the road to net-zero is long, trailblazers like startup Infinium are paving the way for a low-carbon future, offering a beacon of hope in our journey.
Subscribe to our newsletter.
This article was originally published on IMPAKTER. Read the original article.