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Ocean-Based CO2 Storage

Detailed overview of innovation with sample startups and prominent university research


What it is

Ocean-based CO2 storage encompasses a range of methods for capturing carbon dioxide from various sources and sequestering it in the ocean. This can involve injecting CO2 into deep ocean basins, dissolving it in seawater, or utilizing natural processes like mineral carbonation in seabed rocks. These approaches leverage the vast volume and natural carbon cycling of the ocean to safely and effectively store CO2, preventing its release into the atmosphere.

Impact on climate action

Ocean-Based CO2 Storage presents a game-changing approach within CO2 Capture & Storage. By utilizing the ocean’s vast capacity to absorb CO2, it offers a scalable solution to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. This innovation can significantly contribute to achieving climate action goals by reducing atmospheric CO2 levels, combating ocean acidification, and preserving marine ecosystems.

Underlying
Technology

Ocean-based CO2 storage utilizes a multidisciplinary approach, combining oceanography, geology, engineering, and environmental science:

  • Deep-Sea CO2 Injection: This method involves injecting captured CO2 into deep ocean basins, where it dissolves in seawater under high pressure and forms a CO2-rich brine that sinks to the ocean floor.
  • Dissolved CO2 Storage: Dissolving CO2 directly in seawater can be achieved by bubbling CO2 into the water column or by releasing it from pipelines on the seabed. This approach enhances the ocean’s natural absorption of CO2.
  • Mineral Carbonation in Seabed Rocks: CO2 can react with minerals, such as basalt, present in seabed rocks, forming stable carbonates. This process permanently sequesters CO2 and is being investigated for its potential to store large volumes of carbon.
  • Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement: Adding alkaline materials, such as olivine or lime, to seawater can enhance the ocean’s capacity to absorb and store CO2 by increasing its alkalinity.

TRL : Varies (3-6) depending on specific technology and project maturity.


Prominent Innovation themes

  • Optimized Injection Strategies: Researchers are developing advanced models and simulations to optimize CO2 injection depths, locations, and rates to minimize ecological impacts and maximize storage capacity.
  • Monitoring and Verification Technologies: New technologies, such as underwater sensors, autonomous vehicles, and geochemical tracers, are being developed to monitor the fate of injected CO2, verify its containment, and assess potential ecological effects.
  • Biologically Enhanced CO2 Storage: Utilizing marine organisms, such as phytoplankton or macroalgae, to enhance CO2 uptake and sequestration is being explored as a potentially sustainable approach.
  • CO2 Storage in Deep-Sea Sediments: Research is investigating the potential of injecting CO2 into deep-sea sediments, where it can be trapped within the sediment layers and potentially undergo mineralization.
  • Integration with Offshore Renewable Energy: Integrating ocean-based CO2 storage with offshore wind or wave energy facilities could offer a synergistic approach, utilizing renewable energy to power capture and injection processes.

Other Innovation Subthemes

  • Deep-Sea CO2 Injection Techniques
  • Dissolved CO2 Storage Methods
  • Mineral Carbonation in Seabed Rocks
  • Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement Strategies
  • Optimization of CO2 Injection Models
  • Advanced Monitoring Technologies
  • Verification Techniques for CO2 Containment
  • Ecological Impact Assessments
  • Biologically Enhanced CO2 Sequestration
  • Phytoplankton-Based Carbon Capture
  • Macroalgae CO2 Sequestration
  • CO2 Storage in Deep-Sea Sediments
  • Sediment Trapping Mechanisms
  • Geochemical Tracers for CO2 Monitoring
  • Sustainable CO2 Sequestration Approaches
  • Renewable Energy Integration for CO2 Capture

Related Innovations

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Sample Global Startups and Companies

  • Ocean Era:
    • Technology Focus: Ocean Era likely specializes in developing solutions for ocean-based carbon capture and storage (CCS). Their focus may include methods such as ocean fertilization, algae farming, or direct CO2 injection into deep ocean reservoirs.
    • Uniqueness: Ocean Era could stand out for its innovative approaches to leveraging the oceans as a carbon sink, offering sustainable solutions for mitigating climate change. Their technologies may have a lower environmental impact compared to traditional CCS methods.
    • End-User Segments: Their target segments might include industries seeking to offset their carbon emissions, such as energy producers, manufacturing companies, and transportation providers. They could also collaborate with governments and environmental organizations focused on climate mitigation.
  • Equatic:
    • Technology Focus: Equatic might be focused on developing advanced sensors, monitoring systems, or autonomous vehicles for ocean-based CO2 storage projects. Their technology could enable real-time monitoring of carbon storage sites, ensuring safety and efficiency.
    • Uniqueness: Equatic could differentiate itself through its cutting-edge sensor technologies and data analytics capabilities tailored specifically for ocean-based CCS projects. Their solutions may offer enhanced accuracy and reliability in monitoring CO2 storage sites.
    • End-User Segments: Their target segments could include companies involved in ocean-based carbon capture projects, research institutions, and government agencies responsible for environmental monitoring and regulation.
  • Running Tide:
    • Technology Focus: Running Tide may focus on nature-based solutions for ocean-based CO2 storage, such as restoring and protecting coastal ecosystems like mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes. These ecosystems naturally capture and store carbon from the atmosphere and oceans.
    • Uniqueness: Running Tide could distinguish itself through its emphasis on nature-based approaches to carbon sequestration, harnessing the power of natural ecosystems to combat climate change. Their projects may have additional co-benefits such as biodiversity conservation and coastal protection.
    • End-User Segments: Their target segments might include organizations interested in investing in nature-based climate solutions, such as corporations with sustainability commitments, impact investors, and coastal communities seeking resilience against climate change impacts.

Sample Research At Top-Tier Universities

  • Columbia University:
    • Technology Enhancements: Columbia University researchers are exploring innovative methods for capturing and storing CO2 in the ocean. They are investigating advanced materials and techniques for capturing CO2 directly from the atmosphere or industrial emissions and injecting it into the deep ocean for long-term storage.
    • Uniqueness of Research: Columbia’s approach involves interdisciplinary research combining expertise in environmental science, engineering, and policy. They are studying the environmental impacts, feasibility, and regulatory aspects of ocean-based CO2 storage to develop sustainable and effective solutions.
    • End-use Applications: The research at Columbia University has implications for mitigating climate change by removing CO2 from the atmosphere and storing it in the deep ocean. Ocean-based CO2 storage can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow down the rate of global warming, benefiting marine ecosystems and coastal communities.
  • University of Washington:
    • Technology Enhancements: University of Washington researchers are developing novel technologies for capturing and storing CO2 in the ocean. They are investigating methods such as direct injection, mineralization, and biological sequestration to effectively remove CO2 from the atmosphere and prevent its release back into the environment.
    • Uniqueness of Research: UW’s research focuses on understanding the ocean’s capacity to store CO2 and the potential environmental consequences of large-scale CO2 injection. They are studying the interactions between CO2 and marine ecosystems, as well as the geochemical processes involved in long-term carbon storage.
    • End-use Applications: The research at University of Washington has applications for climate change mitigation, ocean conservation, and sustainable development. Ocean-based CO2 storage can help offset carbon emissions from various industries, including power generation, transportation, and manufacturing, while protecting marine biodiversity and ecosystem services.
  • GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel:
    • Technology Enhancements: Researchers at GEOMAR are advancing technologies for CO2 capture and storage in the ocean. They are developing monitoring systems, modeling tools, and risk assessment frameworks to evaluate the safety, efficiency, and environmental impact of ocean-based CO2 storage.
    • Uniqueness of Research: GEOMAR’s research integrates expertise in oceanography, geosciences, and engineering to address the complex challenges of CO2 storage in the marine environment. They are studying natural analogs and conducting field experiments to better understand the behavior of injected CO2 and its long-term fate.
    • End-use Applications: The research at GEOMAR has implications for carbon management strategies, climate policy, and sustainable development. Ocean-based CO2 storage can complement other carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, providing a scalable and cost-effective solution for reducing CO2 emissions and achieving climate targets.

commercial_img Commercial Implementation

Large-scale commercial implementation of ocean-based CO2 storage is still in its early stages. However, several pilot projects are underway to demonstrate the technology and address regulatory challenges:

  • Ocean Era is conducting a pilot project in the North Sea to inject and monitor CO2 in a saline aquifer beneath the seabed.


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