![]() ![]() Studying something as massive as the ocean is a difficult task. Experts are calling for governance structures and regulatory processes better-suited to ocean-based operations, which currently need sign-off from a wide assortment of state and federal agencies. As with many climate tech sectors, permitting for ocean CDR is a major barrier. But developing the guidelines needed to move the industry forward while protecting the seas will also depend on data and learnings from initial projects. Proving these ocean CDR methods outside the lab in a responsible manner will require regulations in place to make sure tests aren’t harming surrounding ecosystems. Of interest to you? Reach out with your perspective on ocean CDR business models. Consider this a landscaping primer before we fully wade into a future deep dive on ocean CDR market opportunities and technologies. We dipped our toes into these muddy waters in conversations with Sifang Chen, Managing Science and Innovation Advisor at Carbon180, and ocean carbon cycle expert David Ho. In a recent report, Carbon180 spelled out some of the most pressing questions and suggestions to address ocean CDR uncertainties and issues in the US. Realistically, these gaps in knowledge and policy must be addressed before commercial viability of many potential ocean CDR business models, and certainly before responsible scaling of these climate technologies. Researchers and entrepreneurs working at the frontier of ocean CDR must swim against a rip current of quandaries, from regulatory and technical obstacles to equity concerns. Just measuring the efficacy and durability of carbon removal remains a huge challenge, considering oceans cover ~70% of the planet with constantly shifting currents. At such a large scale and open system, it’s difficult to anticipate the ripple effects caused by adjusting the chemistry or biology of marine ecosystems for accelerated carbon sequestration purposes. Venture-backed companies like Running Tide, Ebb Carbon, and Brilliant Planet are already working on solutions that would accelerate the ocean’s absorption of CO2, but the science is far from settled. Nevertheless, we’ve created such a mess on Aisle Earth that it’s now necessary to mop vigorously with all possible carbon sponges. The field of ocean-based carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is nascent, complicated, and risky-even compared with complex terrestrial carbon removal tech. Putting our terrestrial bias aside, the ocean is the world’s largest carbon sink-on the order of ~50x more carbon than is currently in the atmosphere.īut it’s no small feat to wring out nature’s sequestration sponge. Documenting the successful use of this technology could help bring “low-tech”, low-cost, CO2 to algae, carbon capture to multiple size industries and could accelerate the use of “low-tech” carbon capture.Us land-dwellers waste a lot of breath on atmospheric carbon capture. An understanding of process requirements to apply this technology to existing industries would go far in advancing carbon capture opportunities. Data and process information are being collected and developed to facilitate feasibility and modeling evaluations of the CO2 to algae technology. Three electric power generation plants (coal and fuel oil fired) equipped to send flue-gas emissions to algae culture at demonstration facilities are being studied. Information is being generated for modeling analyses and examination of the breakthrough potential of transformational technologies and their associated environmental implications using an economic evaluation model. The operations are being studied for the use of CO2 from flue gas for algae growth along with the production of biofuels and other useful products to prepare a comprehensive characterization of the economic feasibility of using algae to capture CO2. A study of operational demonstration projects is being undertaken to evaluate the benefits of using algae to reduce CO2 emissions from industrial and small-scale utility power boilers. The biomass of microalgae contains approximately 50% carbon, which is commonly obtained from the atmosphere, but can also be taken from commercial sources that produce CO2, such as coal-fired power plants. ![]()
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