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: TROFX

Team TROFX is developing advanced designs and components for scalable, high-yield offshore macroalgae farming.

trofx.tech

The Technology

TROFX is currently demonstrating offshore structures for macroalgae cultivation and nutrient upwelling, while developing proprietary technology for the extraction of valuable protein components. The team aims to demonstrate rugged and low capital cost infrastructure capable of producing massive quantities of biomass, and an efficient system for precisely transporting macroalgae into the deep ocean for sequestration.

The Potential Advantages

TROFX has a low-cost, high-yield, modular farm design scalable to deep water and high energy ocean conditions, with innovations that include lattice mooring design, multiline helical anchors, robotic anchoring, marine mammal safety features, and passive, pipe-less nutrient upwelling employing hydrofoils. A 2×2 array is now deployed in the Gulf of Maine under the ARPA-E’s MARINER (Macroalgae Research Inspiring Novel Energy Resources) program, a U.S. Department of Energy Program.

The Challenges

One of the key challenges Ocean Visions will help the team with is how to measure the carbon dioxide removal associated with the process, including that from pumping the macroalgae slurry. Additionally, the team seeks to better understand the environmental and social impacts of the process.