In this episode of SustainNOW, Doris Hafenbradl, CTO of Electrochaea, shares her groundbreaking work harnessing the power of archaea to create sustainable bio-methane. Doris, a passionate scientist with a background in biotech and pharmaceuticals, has spent over a decade exploring how ancient organisms like archaea can revolutionize energy production.

Electrochaea leverages methanogenic archaea to convert renewable energy and carbon dioxide into synthetic methane, a crucial energy product compatible with existing gas infrastructure. This innovative process not only helps mitigate harmful CO2 emissions but also creates a reliable energy source from renewable sources like wind and solar.

Doris explains the technology behind Electrochaea, which involves using renewable hydrogen to interact with CO2 in bioreactors where archaea produce methane. This process can significantly reduce carbon emissions while producing clean, grid-compatible energy. The episode also dives into the company’s current projects, including feasibility studies in Denmark, the USA, and Canada, and the plans for future expansion.

With the world facing an energy crisis, Electrochaea offers a promising solution that could play a pivotal role in moving away from fossil fuels toward a more sustainable energy future. Doris discusses the challenges of scaling this technology, the potential for upscaling, and the future of energy.