05JUN2019 - NEWS - Massive Artificial Islands Could Extract CO2 From Seawater To Produce Renewable Energy, Study Says

A group of European scientists wants to mitigate the effects of climate change and advance renewable energy sources by building millions of artificial islands throughout the world’s oceans capable of converting atmospheric carbon dioxide into fuel.

Publishing their work in PNAS, the researchers highlight the challenges in meeting such an “ambitious proposal” but argue that the technology to build the infrastructure already exists. However, a fully implementable and realistic plan simply hasn’t yet been proposed.

“Humankind must cease CO2 emissions from fossil fuel burning if dangerous climate change is to be avoided,” wrote the authors, adding that liquid carbon-based energy carriers such as these often lack practical alternatives for application.

These “solar methanol islands” would be outfitted with solar and wind energy infrastructure capable of powering the production of hydrogen and the extraction of carbon dioxide (CO2) from seawater in order to create liquid methanol fuel. In return, the islands would possibly store the power in methanol fuel cells located in places that ships would pick it up and transport it for use in powering existing gas turbines and modified diesel engines, among others. Altogether, the process would allow for energy use without net CO2 emissions, potentially curbing the effects of climate change.

Published by Editor - www.Livebunkers.com at 05-Jun-2019 03:53:46 [UTC] , contact editor at editor@livebunkers.com