The technology group Wärtsilä is providing 500,000 euros in seed funding to Soletair Power Oy, a Finnish startup company that has developed a concept to improve air quality in buildings by capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) and converting it to a synthetic renewable fuel.
Based in the southeastern city of Lappeenranta, Soletair has tested a plant that uses solar power for separating carbon dioxide and water from the air, producing hydrogen, and then synthesising a crude-oil substitute from the carbon dioxide and hydrogen.
The company has now developed a device for installation in the ventilation systems of buildings.
As a fuel source it is not financial viable, but workers might like better air to breath in those office cubicals.
According to Petri Laakso the production of fuel is not, at least yet, a significant economic factor for the adoption of Soletair Power's system.
He sees the biggest immediate benefit in the improvement of indoor air quality by reducing the level of carbon dioxide. This, he says, could be a boon to companies in keeping employees more alert.
"For example, people can start to tire in a conference room when the level of carbon dioxide goes up. This is a way to prevent that by keeping the air fresh. Productivity improves when minds are alert," Laakso points out.
https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/fuel_from_solar_energy_and_air_-_finnish_startup_gets_funding/10740884