Exploring the Potential of Ocean-Based Carbon Plant for Environmental Conservation

CNN Films presents "Blue Carbon: Nature's Hidden Power", a documentary that explores the impact of blue carbon in combating climate change. Premiering on Sunday, April 21 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, the film takes viewers on a journey from the mangroves of Vietnam to the salt marshes of France.

In west Singapore, a innovative startup is constructing a facility that will convert carbon dioxide from the air and seawater into a substance similar to seashells. This process will also generate "green" hydrogen, a clean fuel that has been gaining attention in the industry.

A cluster of low-slung buildings in Tuas is currently under construction and is set to become the world's largest ocean-based carbon dioxide removal plant. Equatic, the startup responsible for the project, was originally spun out of the University of California at Los Angeles.

The plant's concept involves extracting water from the ocean, subjecting it to an electric current, and passing air through it to trigger a series of chemical reactions. This process aims to capture and store carbon dioxide as minerals, which can then be reintroduced into the sea or utilized on land.

A potential solution is being explored in response to the worsening climate crisis, marked by unprecedented heat and devastating extreme weather events. Efforts to reduce global heating are falling far short, prompting warnings from scientists that in addition to cutting back on fossil fuels, carbon pollution already in the atmosphere must also be removed.

One example of such innovative projects is a plant in Singapore, part of a wave of recent initiatives turning to the oceans for solutions. The oceans already absorb nearly 30% of the planet-heating pollution generated by humans, making them a key resource in this endeavor. Other projects include methods like adding iron particles to the ocean to boost CO2-absorbing phytoplankton, submerging seaweed to trap carbon, and spraying particles into marine clouds to reflect some of the sun's energy away.

Carbon-removal projects, particularly those involving the oceans, are met with controversy. Critics argue that these projects are costly, unproven on a large scale, and divert attention from the need to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. In the case of ocean-based projects, where ecosystems are already struggling due to the impacts of climate change, the criticisms are even more pronounced.

Jean-Pierre Gatusso, an ocean scientist at Sorbonne University, highlighted significant knowledge gaps in the field of ocean geoengineering. He expressed concern that the scientific understanding lags behind the development of industry initiatives. Gatusso emphasized the need for further research and caution in implementing ocean-based carbon removal strategies.

How it works

Equatic’s technology, which has been tested in small pilot projects in LA and Singapore, requires three main ingredients: seawater, rocks and electricity.

Here's how it operates: The plant takes in seawater and passes an electric current through it, splitting it into four parts - two liquids (acidic and alkaline) and two gases (hydrogen and oxygen).

The acidic liquid is combined with crushed rocks to restore its pH levels to match seawater before being discharged back into the ocean.

Fans will blow air through the alkaline stream. This will lead to the formation of solid calcium carbonate, the same material found in seashells. The end result will be a fine sand-like substance along with dissolved bicarbonate.

A sample of carbon removed from the ocean in the solid form of calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide from UCLA's SeaChange program -- now known as Equatic -- in 2023.

A sample of carbon was extracted from the ocean in solid form by UCLA's SeaChange program, now called Equatic, in 2023. The sample consisted of calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide.

(Photo credit: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images)

Equatic plans to return both solid and dissolved minerals, capable of locking up carbon for over 10,000 years, to the ocean or utilize them on land. The seawater will also be reintroduced to the sea, ready to absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

According to Gaurav Sant, an Equatic founder and sustainability professor at UCLA, all processing occurs away from the open ocean. This ensures accurate measurement of all activities, including the plant's electricity consumption and the amount of carbon sequestered.

The $20 million facility, expected to be fully operational by the end of the year, will have the capacity to remove 3,650 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. Edward Sanders, the chief operating officer of Equatic, shared that the company has teamed up with Singapore's National Water Agency for the construction of the plant. This amount of CO2 removal is equal to the emissions of approximately 870 average passenger cars being taken off the road.

Sanders expressed the goal of increasing the CO2 removal to 100,000 metric tons per year by the end of 2026. Following this, the aim is to scale up to removing millions of metric tons over the next few decades. He mentioned to CNN that the plant's design allows it to be replicated in various locations, as it can be assembled in modules similar to building blocks like Lego.

Gaurav Sant at the carbon removal project site at the Port of Los Angeles in 2023.

Gaurav Sant at the carbon removal project site at the Port of Los Angeles in 2023.

Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images

According to Sant, as the plant grows bigger, it is important to ensure that there are no negative effects. He explained to CNN that the impact can vary greatly depending on whether it is done on a small scale, a medium scale, or a large scale. It is crucial to constantly measure, monitor, and adjust accordingly.

The company acknowledges that the initial costs are expensive. However, they have a strategy to generate revenue by selling carbon credits to polluters to counterbalance their emissions. Additionally, they intend to sell the hydrogen that is produced during their operations.

Equatic has secured a partnership with Boeing to supply them with 2,100 metric tons of hydrogen. Boeing will utilize this hydrogen to produce eco-friendly fuel and support the elimination of 62,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

Fragile oceans

For some critics, however, the risks far outweigh the benefits.

Lili Fuhr, the deputy director of the climate and energy program at the Center for International Environmental Law, raised concerns about the use of "speculative technology" while emphasizing that "climate change is already harming our oceans."

Fuhr explained to CNN that processing large quantities of seawater could have detrimental effects on marine life. She highlighted that power plants are already known to harm fish larvae and other marine organisms, and the proposed technology, Equatic, would process even more seawater than a typical power plant. Fuhr pointed out that thousands of these plants would be necessary to have a significant impact on the global climate.

James Niffenegger, a researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, emphasized the importance of closely monitoring the impacts of ocean carbon removal. In a report he wrote on the subject, Niffenegger highlighted that the large-scale manipulation of water would have significant consequences.

According to Niffenegger, the process could potentially disrupt the delicate balance of ocean chemistry. While there is ample research on the negative effects of ocean acidification, there is a lack of information on the possible outcomes if the ocean becomes more alkaline.

There are signs that the effects could be minimal, but according to him, we won't truly grasp the benefits of this solution until we begin implementing it.

Rendering of the Equatic's plant. It will remove just under 4,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year, with the aim of scaling up to 100,000 metric tons a year by the end of 2026.

Rendering of the Equatic's plant. It will remove just under 4,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year, with the aim of scaling up to 100,000 metric tons a year by the end of 2026.

Equatic

The increasing demand for clean energy is driven by the world's shift away from fossil fuels. Moving seawater would need a significant amount of renewable energy, which could be more effectively used to replace fossil fuels in the first place, according to Fuhr. Gatusso also emphasized the importance of considering justice when using electricity to remove carbon instead of providing it to communities in need.

Equatic filters the seawater to prevent marine life from entering the system. They ensure that the water discharged back into the ocean will have the same composition as normal seawater and will meet Singapore’s environmental guidelines.

Additionally, Equatic uses hydrogen production to power the process, resulting in lower overall energy consumption compared to other carbon removal methods.

Equatic’s project is at the center of a larger discussion about geoengineering. Some worry that moving too quickly with these techniques could harm ecosystems, while others argue that the urgency of the climate crisis makes it necessary to consider this technology. It’s evident where Equatic stands on this issue.

Sant from UCLA emphasized that simply doing nothing is not a effective approach to combat climate change. He stressed the importance of making decisions even when faced with uncertainty. According to Sant, taking swift and significant actions is crucial if we are truly committed to reducing the impact of climate change.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the potential of ocean-based carbon removal methods, such as Equatic's facility in Singapore, to mitigate climate change. However, it also raises concerns regarding the environmental and financial implications of these projects.

On the one hand, the ability to capture and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and oceans offers a promising solution to the pressing issue of climate change. Technologies like Equatic's, which utilize seawater, rocks, and electricity to extract carbon and produce hydrogen, have the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions. Furthermore, the generated hydrogen can serve as a clean fuel source, contributing to the transition away from fossil fuels.

On the other hand, the article raises valid concerns about the potential risks associated with ocean-based carbon removal projects. Critics argue that these technologies are expensive, unproven on a large scale, and may have unintended consequences for marine ecosystems. The processing of large quantities of seawater can potentially disrupt marine life and alter ocean chemistry. Additionally, the energy required for these processes must be carefully considered, as it could divert resources from other renewable energy initiatives.

It is important to approach ocean-based carbon removal methods with caution and thorough research. While they offer a promising avenue for combating climate change, their potential risks and limitations must be carefully evaluated. Further studies and pilot projects are necessary to assess their long-term environmental and economic impacts before committing to large-scale implementation.