Direct Ocean Capture: The Next Frontier in Carbon Removal

The climate crisis is pushing the boundaries of innovation, with new solutions emerging to address the pressing need to reduce carbon emissions.

One of the latest advancements comes from an Amsterdam-based startup, Brineworks, which is taking a different approach to carbon removal by focusing on seawater rather than the atmosphere.

Direct ocean capture (DOC) technology, as it's called, may soon be a game-changer in the race against climate change.

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Seawater: A New Frontier for Carbon Capture

For years, direct air capture (DAC) has been seen as a leading technology for carbon removal, offering a way to extract CO2 directly from the atmosphere.

However, direct ocean capture, which targets carbon dioxide in seawater, could prove to be a more efficient and cost-effective method.

"Oceans are far more dense compared to the atmosphere, meaning the concentration of marine CO2 is about 150 times higher than it is in the air," explains Gudfinnur Sveinsson, CEO of Brineworks.

Brineworks' innovative seawater electrolysis technology not only captures carbon from seawater but also produces green hydrogen (H2) as a byproduct.

This dual benefit not only contributes to the fight against climate change but also creates a potential revenue stream through hydrogen production.

"What if any nation in the world could make sustainable oil from renewable electricity and seawater alone?" muses Hampus Jakobsson, general partner at Pale Blue Dot, the Nordic VC firm that recently led a $2.2 million funding round for Brineworks.

Cost-Effective and Sustainable Solutions

One of the key advantages of Brineworks' approach is its cost-efficiency.

While direct air capture methods typically cost anywhere from $230 to $630 per metric ton of CO2, Brineworks claims that its technology could bring the cost down to under $100 per ton at scale.

This makes DOC technology a more attractive option for industries looking to reduce their carbon footprints while maintaining economic viability.

The potential of DOC extends beyond just cost savings. By utilizing solar or wind energy, Brineworks' seawater electrolyzer can operate off-grid, allowing it to function in remote locations and further reducing its environmental impact.

"Brineworks' seawater electrolyzer not only extracts CO2 but also operates with minimal energy requirements due to the density of CO2 in seawater," says Sveinsson.

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The Promise of Green Hydrogen

In addition to carbon capture, Brineworks' technology produces green hydrogen, which can be stored and used as a clean energy source. This aligns with the growing global demand for hydrogen as a sustainable fuel alternative.

"Direct ocean capture can generate both CO2 reduction and renewable energy in one process, making it a sustainable, scalable, and cost-effective solution," notes Sveinsson.

The integration of hydrogen production into the carbon capture process opens up new possibilities for industries looking to transition to cleaner energy sources.

Hydrogen is increasingly being recognized as a critical component of the future energy landscape, and Brineworks' ability to produce it alongside carbon removal offers a unique value proposition.

Funding and Future Plans

Brineworks has already attracted significant interest from investors, securing $2.2 million in funding led by Pale Blue Dot.

This investment will support the company's continued development and expansion as it begins its first pilot project on the Canary Islands.

According to Sveinsson, the pilot aims to capture a metric ton of carbon per week, marking a significant milestone in the company's progress.

The success of Brineworks could pave the way for other companies to explore similar technologies. "Brineworks might well be part of a new wave of sea-borne carbon capture," says Sveinsson.

Other companies are also exploring the potential of DOC, including Calcarea, a Caltech-founded startup that converts shipboard CO2 into ocean salts, and Captura, which has raised $34.5 million from investors like Maersk Growth and Freeflow Ventures.

A Global Need for Carbon Removal

The urgent need to reduce global carbon emissions has never been clearer. With catastrophic weather events increasing in frequency and severity, the world must act quickly to mitigate the worst effects of climate change.

Direct air capture has been a promising solution, but the high costs and energy requirements have posed significant challenges.

Brineworks is offering an alternative that could be more sustainable and cost-effective in the long run. The company's focus on seawater as a carbon capture medium addresses some of the limitations of air capture technology.

"Direct ocean capture may be the next frontier for carbon removal," suggests Mike Butcher, noting the potential of this emerging field to make a substantial impact on global efforts to reduce CO2 levels.

Expanding the Scope of Carbon Capture

As Brineworks continues to develop and refine its technology, the possibilities for its application seem endless.

The company's ability to produce green hydrogen alongside carbon removal makes it an attractive option for a wide range of industries, from energy production to heavy manufacturing.

Sveinsson envisions a future where "Brineworks' technology could be deployed on a global scale, providing a cost-effective way to remove carbon while also generating clean energy."

With growing interest in hydrogen as a clean fuel alternative, Brineworks is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend.

The company's approach to integrating carbon removal with hydrogen production could help accelerate the transition to a more sustainable energy future.

"We're not just capturing carbon," says Sveinsson. "We're creating a new model for sustainable energy production."

The Road Ahead

The development of direct ocean capture technology marks an exciting new chapter in the fight against climate change.

Companies like Brineworks are leading the charge, offering innovative solutions that could revolutionize the way we approach carbon removal and energy production.

As Sveinsson puts it, "This is just the beginning of what we believe will be a transformative shift in the global energy landscape."

The potential for DOC to make a significant impact on global carbon emissions is clear, and with continued investment and development, it may soon become a cornerstone of the world's efforts to combat climate change.