Startup's CO2 waste-heat system promises 50% power boost for turbines
A Denver-based startup has come out of stealth with $8 million in funding to develop a compact supercritical carbon dioxide system. The technology captures waste heat from gas turbines and could increase power generation by up to 50 percent. The company aims to commercialize the efficiency-boosting solution.
This Denver startup’s emergence from stealth marks a notable step in the ongoing push to improve gas turbine efficiency. By capturing waste heat and converting it into additional electricity via a supercritical carbon dioxide loop, the system targets a major source of energy loss in power generation. The $8 million in funding will support development of the compact unit, which the company says could boost output by up to half.
The technology sits within a broader trend of using supercritical CO₂ as a working fluid in power cycles, prized for its high density and heat-transfer properties. While the headline figure is striking, the startup’s path to commercialization will depend on proving reliability and cost-effectiveness in real-world turbine installations.
If successful, this system could meaningfully raise the efficiency of existing gas turbines, potentially lowering fuel costs and emissions per megawatt-hour for power plant operators. Utilities and industrial users may see improved output without building new capacity, while consumers could benefit from more stable electricity prices. However, adoption hinges on retrofit compatibility and long-term maintenance—uncertainties that may temper near-term impact.