By Marissa Cruz
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is released through respiration, deforestation, and the burning of fossil fuels. Currently, CO2 levels are at an all time high, causing rising temperatures and ocean acidification. In an effort to combat the relentless rise of CO2, electrogeochemical methods are being employed to convert renewable electricity into negative CO2 emissions (CO2 removal) and usable energy (electricity). Additionally, the captured atmospheric CO2 is converted into a dissolved mineral bicarbonate that aids in the counter acidification of the ocean. The figure below depicts the generation of energy versus the removal of CO2 for this method.
Electrogeochemical methods of negative CO2 emission are fairly new and still require larger scale testing. This process will likely be carried out on shores where both saltwater and renewable energy are readily available. Unfortunately, since this experiment has not been carried out outside of a laboratory setting, potential negative side effects caused to the oceans are still unknown. Moreover, there are currently other methods, such as BECCS, being used for atmospheric CO2 reduction. However, BECCS is expensive, energetically costly, stores the captured CO2 underground, and does not create usable energy. The long term effects of BECCS are still unknown, leaving room for new methods of capturing and storing CO2.
Reference
Rau, G.H., Willauer, H.D., and Ren, Z.J. 2018. The global potential for converting renewable electricity to negative-CO2-emissions hydrogen. Nat. Clim. Change. 8:621-625.
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