A Los Angeles startup, Equatic, is making headlines with its groundbreaking technology aimed at tackling climate change by removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and storing it in the ocean while simultaneously generating emissions-free hydrogen fuel.
Equatic's unique process involves an electrochemical system that converts seawater into hydrogen and oxygen gases, along with capturing CO2 from the air. The captured CO2 is then mineralized and safely stored in the ocean for thousands of years.
The company is scaling up operations, with a major facility under construction in Singapore, expected to capture 4,000 tons of CO2 annually while producing about 100 tons of hydrogen. A larger facility planned for Quebec, Canada, could remove over 100,000 tons of CO2 each year.
Despite the promise of ocean-based carbon removal, concerns have been raised by environmental groups regarding the potential impacts on marine ecosystems. Over 400 scientists have cautioned against large-scale alterations to ocean chemistry, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of environmental consequences.
Equatic aims to address these concerns by implementing a closed-loop system for CO2 capture and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, with the goal of significantly reducing global CO2 emissions.