OUR SOLUTION
Through the Carbon Bridge, we solve two key decarbonization challenges. First, we enable existing infrastructure to operate without costly electrification by converting COâ‚‚ into methane fuel. Second, we provide long-duration energy storage by transforming renewable electricity into methane, storable in existing pipelines for stable, dispatchable power.
VISION
affordable decarbonization today
I began my career as a mechanical engineer in New York City, serving the energy needs of over 2,000 landlords. For years, I worked closely with the real estate industry, solving engineering challenges for building owners. Everything changed in 2018 when New York City passed Local Law 97. The law imposed steep carbon taxes on building boilers, forcing landlords to face an impossible choice: pay crippling penalties or invest heavily in costly, unproven decarbonization technologies.
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When my clients asked me what to do, my joking response was, “Sell your buildings.” It was clear that this was no real solution. I knew I had to think deeper about how to solve this problem. Around the same time, I was reading Mars Direct by Dr. Robert Zubrin. His book explored the colonization of Mars, highlighting how converting the planet's COâ‚‚ atmosphere into methane could make settlement viable. That’s when it hit me: the same chemical process could be applied to NYC’s boiler emissions.
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Initially, I hoped to buy off-the-shelf products to execute this vision. I soon discovered that the market was filled with overpriced, bespoke solutions that made my idea economically infeasible. This realization was a turning point—I needed to build the solution myself. Thus, the journey to develop Standard Carbon’s technology began.
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We started from scratch. The road was steep, involving years of research and development, securing capital, and filing patents. Grants from the Israeli Ministry of Energy and the European Union helped us push forward, enabling us to refine our technology. Today, Standard Carbon is a leader in converting COâ‚‚ emissions into renewable natural gas.
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This mission is personal for me. On September 11, 2001, my neighbor lost his life in the World Trade Center attacks. That tragedy was fueled, quite literally, by fossil-fuel-enriched terrorists. It was a stark reminder that the fight against fossil fuels isn’t just about climate change—it’s about security, freedom, and democracy. Recent events, like the war in Ukraine, underscore how fossil fuels empower autocracies at the expense of the free world. Transitioning away from fossil fuels is essential for a sustainable and democratic future.
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Through the Carbon Bridge, we tackle the two biggest hurdles of decarbonization. First, we enable existing infrastructure—boilers, power plants, factories, and more—to continue operating without expensive electrification. By turning COâ‚‚ emissions back into methane fuel, we effectively "electrify" without replacing legacy systems. Second, we address long-duration energy storage. Methane, produced from COâ‚‚ and renewable electricity, can be stored in the existing natural gas pipeline network, converting intermittent renewable power into stable, dispatchable energy.
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Our vision is clear: a decarbonized economy that preserves existing infrastructure while creating a pathway to sustainable energy. This is more than a business; it’s a call to action.
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I invite partners, investors, and stakeholders to join Standard Carbon in this mission. Together, we can decarbonize the economy, secure a free society, and protect our planet. The stakes couldn’t be higher—our future depends on it.
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-Natan Shahar
Founder, Standard Carbon
