OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY

“We’re applying new materials science and leveraging something that 

already exists to solve a global problem by extracting carbon from 

the air through the retrofitting of rooftop air conditioning units with 

carbon capture capabilities.”

Kashif Nawaz, Group Leader, Multifunctional Equipment Integration

Carbon Capture and Utilization

0%

ENHANCING

carbon capture

DEMONSTRATING

conversion methods

DEPLOYING

novel technologies

ACCELERATING

clean energy

ACHIEVING

net zero 

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is leading decarbonization efforts in support of the nation’s transition to a clean energy future. 

From energy generation to distribution, storage, and end use, ORNL delivers scientific solutions to help reduce carbon emissions to 

net zero by 2050.

Drawing on the Laboratory’s world-class capabilities and user facilities, scientists work with industry to provide breakthroughs in 

decarbonization across several sectors including manufacturing, buildings, transportation, the power grid, and energy storage. ORNL 

develops, demonstrates, and deploys innovations to accelerate the rapid adoption of clean, prosperous, and secure energy.

Capabilities

Direct-air carbon capture and advanced equipment novel designs—Developing and 

demonstrating methods to utilize building air systems for direct-air carbon capture; efficient, lowand high-temperature heat pumps, climate-friendly refrigerants, and other equipment innovations

Modernizing and democratizing weatherization technologies—Increasing 

development and demonstration of the newest technologies for building retrofits to achieve 

decarbonization, with a focus on equitable distribution and relieving high energy stress in frontline 

communities. Piloting advanced tools for decision-making and retrofitting best practices

New materials and techniques for advanced building construction—Developing and 

demonstrating new materials, processes, and assembly techniques for advanced, ultra-efficient 

building construction

Electrification—Developing and accelerating the deployment of more renewable and 

low-emission electricity sources

Grid-interactive controls—Expanding home and neighborhood energy controls to the 

grid scale using distributed artificial intelligence and hardware for automated load sensing and 

dispatch, promoting a more efficient, resilient, and clean energy–sourced power grid

Thermal storage innovation—Controlling and utilizing the thermal energy storage capacity 

of homes and businesses to reduce energy consumption and provide grid stability, including the 

development and deployment of associated advanced materials

Conversion technologies—Developing novel hybrid material designs for one-step energy-efficient capture 

and conversion of carbon dioxide into valuable, fine chemical products that avoid current toxic approaches

Modeling—Developing models to predict the long-term security of carbon dioxide storage sites

Additive manufacturing—Using additive manufacturing to design and develop novel devices to 

enhance carbon capture from industrial processes
Oak Ridge National Laboratory is managed by UT-Battelle LLC for the US Department of Energy January 2022

Recent Impacts

Additively manufactured carbon capture technology—Creating a first-of-itskind aluminum device that significantly enhances the capture of carbon dioxide emitted 

from fossil fuel plants and other industrial processes. By using additive manufacturing, 

researchers custom-designed a multifunctional device that resolves the challenge of heat 

produced when solvents are used to absorb carbon in smokestack flue gas treatments. 

Reducing cement carbon emissions—Working with industry to develop a 

breakthrough carbon capture process that will close the loop on carbon emissions 

released from cement plants. By developing, optimizing, and scaling up carbon capture 

process components that can be integrated into cement plant production, the carbon 

footprint is reduced through technological upgrades.

Net-zero carbon fuels—Developing synthetic liquid fuels from renewable electricity, 

carbon dioxide, and biofeedstocks to decarbonize the transportation sector and advance 

mobility for clean energy, sustainability, and national security. This is accomplished 

by directly converting carbon dioxide to ethanol in a high-yield process using a 

nanotechnology-designed catalyst.

Retrofitting equipment for carbon capture—Integrating a multifunctional 

cooling tower to complement existing rooftop heating, ventilation, and air conditioning 

equipment that deploys system controls to optimize the performance of both cooling 

and carbon capture functions. The cooling tower integration allows for the direct-air 

capture of carbon from the atmosphere. 

CONTACT:

Xin Sun

Associate Laboratory Director

Energy Science and 

Technology Directorate

cleanenergy@ornl.gov

865-576-3711

One Bethel Valley Road, 

Oak Ridge, TN 37830

Unique Facilities

DOE Manufacturing Demonstration Facility houses integrated capabilities to drive the 

development of new materials, software, and systems for advanced manufacturing technologies 

that support the secure production of clean energy products. 

DOE Building Technologies Research and Integration Center improves 

the energy efficiency and environmental compatibility of residential 

buildings with research focused on envelopes, multifunctional 

equipment integration, sensors, and controls.

ORNL Grid Research Integration and Deployment Center 

provides solutions to support the decarbonized utility, buildings, 

and vehicle sectors while advancing an integrated, secure, and 

resilient power grid.

DOE National Transportation Research Center develops 

and helps industry deploy efficient and secure transportation 

technologies focusing on advanced energy storage, electric drive 

systems, alternative fuels, and intelligent mobility systems.

ornl.gov/estd

Buildings, Industrial 

Decarbonization

ORNL’s vision for decarbonization supports 

the US Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) 

Building Technologies Office goal of an 

overall 50% reduction in energy consumption 

by the building sector over the next 10 years. 

The energy-efficient technologies developed 

at ORNL and ready to be deployed in retrofits 

and new builds represent a key approach 

for limiting the carbon emissions profile of 

buildings. Working with the DOE’s Better 

Plants program, ORNL is developing strategies 

to accelerate decarbonization solutions for 

homes, businesses, and energy-intensive 

industrial processes through 

a variety of innovations.