ARPA-E Grant for Technologies to Reverse Atmospheric Methane Accumulation (REMEDY)

This is a Request for Information only. This RFI is not seeking applications for financial assistance. The purpose of this RFI is solely to solicit input for ARPA-E consideration to inform the possible formulation of future programs. To view the entire RFI, please visit https://arpa-e-foa.energy.gov.

The purpose of this RFI is to solicit input for a potential future ARPA-E research program focused on technologies to prevent and/or abate methane emissions. The goal is to reverse the rate of accumulation of methane in the atmosphere, resulting in a decrease in atmospheric methane concentration. ARPA-E is seeking information at this time regarding transformative and implementable technologies that could:
(a) Prevent methane emissions from anthropogenic activities. Examples include addressing improperly abandoned coal mines and oil and gas wells; plugged oil and gas wells that leak; uncontrolled landfill gas; and agricultural-related emissions from farming and ruminants. Emphasis will be on preventing energy-related emissions, but ARPA-E is interested in approaches that could be broadly applied which intervene before methane escapes into the atmosphere.
(b) Abate methane emissions at the source (stack, vents, leaks, etc.). Sources may have steady or variable flow rates and/or concentration. Source temperatures may range from ambient to elevated (i.e. >200 C). System-level approaches are encouraged (i.e. integrated methane collection/capture, reactor, and monitoring/control system).
(c) Remove methane from the air. Examples include approaches which enhance methane oxidation reactions in the troposphere, mineralization (i.e. biological oxidation of methane to CO2) in soils, or recover methane for use as a fuel or chemical reactant.

Note that some approaches may fit several categories. For example, biological enhancement of methanotropes could be used to prevent methane emissions from coal mines, abate emissions from leaks, and remove methane from air. Priority is oxidation of methane to CO2. Technologies that recover or beneficially use methane will need to show ability to address at least 1 billion standard cubic feet/yr economically.

ARPA-E is interested in processes that reduce methane emissions by >90% on a life-cycle basis. Inputs, including energy and water, need to be quantified. The performance metrics for cost and water inputs are intended to allow comparison of methane prevention and abatement processes to CO2 control processes. Performance targets include:
a) Net greenhouse gas reduction >90% based on a lifecycle analysis, calculated using 100 year greenhouse gas warming potentials for all relevant species.
b) Freshwater consumption <3 m3/ton CO2 equivalent c) No emission of toxic or environmentally harmful substances d) Methane reduction cost $150/ton CO2 equivalent