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New ocean plant revolutionizes with CO2 capture and green hydrogen: innovation promises to combat climate change, but raises debate about environmental impact and sustainable future of the planet.
The fight against climate change has gained a new ally: an ocean carbon plant designed to capture carbon dioxide and produce green hydrogen. Located in western Singapore, this innovation from startup Equatic promises to be the world’s largest ocean-based carbon removal technology. But is this technology really the solution, or could it pose new risks?
How does the ocean carbon plant work?
The concept is simple but revolutionary. The plant takes water from the ocean, applies an electric current and passes air through it, triggering chemical reactions that turn carbon dioxide into solid minerals, such as calcium carbonate (the material in seashells), and dissolved bicarbonate. These products can be returned to the ocean or used on land, with the promise of storing carbon for more than 10.000 years.
The process generates green hydrogen, a clean fuel that is being touted as essential for the global energy transition. According to the Equatic, the facility will be able to capture 3.650 metric tons of CO2 per year initially, with plans to increase to 100.000 tons by 2026 and millions of tons in the coming decades.
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Green hydrogen production at ocean carbon plant
One of the project’s highlights is the production of green hydrogen. Unlike conventional hydrogen, which is obtained from fossil fuels, this version is produced sustainably. Equatic has already signed agreements with companies such as Boeing, which intends to use hydrogen to create green fuels and finance the removal of tons of carbon dioxide.
This approach combines the useful with the necessary: reducing carbon emissions while promoting clean fuel. However, the technology still faces challenges, such as high upfront costs and dependence on renewable energy.
Solution or danger for the ocean?
While innovative, the ocean carbon plant raises concerns about potential impacts on marine ecosystems. Processing large volumes of water could affect marine life, such as fish larvae and other species. In addition, the massive movement of seawater and chemical changes could destabilize the natural balance of the oceans.
Experts like Lili Fuhr, from Center for International Environmental Law, point out that climate change is already putting the oceans under pressure, and adding speculative technology could make the situation worse. Jean-Pierre Gatusso, a scientist at the Sorbonne University, points out that scientific research lags behind industrial development, which increases the risks.
Why the ocean?
The oceans already absorb about 30% of the CO2 emitted by human activity, but this capacity has limits. The idea of using the ocean as a climate mitigation tool is gaining traction, with projects ranging from spreading iron particles to stimulate phytoplankton to sinking algae to store carbon.
Equatic’s plant stands out for keeping processing out of the open ocean, which allows for monitoring results and minimizing negative impacts. Water returned to the sea is treated to have the same composition as natural water, complying with strict environmental standards.
A reproducible and scalable model
One of the plant’s biggest advantages is its scalability. According to Equatic, the structure can be replicated in different locations, stacked in modules like Lego blocks. This flexibility makes it easy to expand to meet the growing demand for carbon removal and hydrogen production.
However, the upfront costs are high, and success will depend on the economic viability of selling carbon and hydrogen credits. Partnering with major companies like Boeing could be a crucial step in securing financing and scaling the project’s impact.
what is at stake?
The initiative reflects a larger debate about the use of geoengineering technologies to combat climate change. On the one hand, there are those who argue that the severity of the climate crisis justifies bold action, even with uncertainty. On the other, Critics warn that quick fixes could cause incalculable damage to ecosystems.
James Niffenegger of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory stresses the need to closely monitor environmental impacts. Despite the promises, there is still much to learn about the long-term effects of altering ocean chemistry on a large scale.
Inaction is not an option
For Gaurav Sant, founder of Equatic, the biggest risk is not acting. He argues that given the severity of climate change, it is essential to make quick decisions and implement solutions at scale. The Singapore facility is an example of how innovation can help mitigate the damage caused by global warming.
With a $20 million investment and advanced technologies, the ocean carbon plant represents a promising combination of science and sustainability. But the path forward will require a balance of innovation, rigorous monitoring and respect for natural ecosystems.
