Launchpad

The Ocean Visions Launchpad supports selected innovators working on ocean-based carbon dioxide removal pathways, as well as those who are enabling or improving our understanding of these pathways. We work with teams to identify their specific needs and build customized expert advisory teams to provide ongoing advice and support.

Team: SeaO₂

SeaO₂ is using electrochemical direct ocean capture to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in geological formations or products such as concrete for long-term sequestration.

seao2.nl

The Technology

SeaO₂’s electrochemical direct ocean capture process uses renewable electricity and seawater to extract CO₂ from the surface of seawater—allowing for a similar amount to be reabsorbed from the atmosphere. The process uses electrochemistry and a vacuum and results in two outputs: decarbonized water and a pure stream of CO₂. The decarbonized water is returned to the ocean and the extracted gaseous CO₂ is permanently stored in geological formations or utilized in products such as concrete.

The Potential Advantages

With carbon concentration in seawater ~150 times higher than in the air, SeaO₂’s technology taps into the vast, natural resource that the ocean offers, presenting a cost-efficient solution for removing CO₂ while also producing a reliable, measurable stream of CO₂, which is important for monitoring purposes. Simplicity is the guiding principle—a plug-and-play, compact design that can integrate into existing infrastructure such as water-cooling facilities or wastewater treatment facilities, thereby minimizing land use. The process operates without chemicals or feedstock, aligning with the ethos of efficiency, sustainability, and environmental responsibility.

The Challenges

Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) standards are necessary to strengthen science and achieve a better understanding of environmental impact assessments. Additionally, siting strategy improvements would help identify optimal plant locations and create synergies with potential partners utilizing seawater pumps. Other challenges include optimizing electrochemical stack engineering and degasser processes design.