Green hydrogen developer Lhyfe, Flexens and Stockholm University’s Department of Ecology, Environment, and Plant Sciences (DEEP) are to collaborate on ocean reoxygenation project preBOxHy.
The Baltic Sea Oxygenation and the Super-Green Hydrogen Economy project, also known as “BOxHy” aims to tackle the problem of anoxia, the complete lack of oxygen in the marine environment, in the Baltic Sea.
They plan to do this by injecting oxygen into the sea through the production of offshore hydrogen from the water electrolysis, an adapted and existing technology.
The project will evaluate suitable offshore locations for conducting a pilot study of the reoxygenation of marine ecosystems via the oxygen co-produced during this electrolysis of water.
Commenced in October 2023, the BOxHy project, which is coordinated by Flexens, is expected to conclude in October 2024.
The Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) Fund is funding the project.
Injecting pure oxygen below the pycnocline could, in conjunction with external nutrient input limitation, eliminate anoxia in the Baltic Sea.
The BOxHy project will initiate the pilot site preparation for testing oxygen injection in the Baltic Sea.
The estimated oxygen demand below the pycnocline in the Baltic Sea Proper and Gulf of Finland is 10,000 to ~15,000 tonnes per day.
BOxHy proposes a symbiotic approach to Baltic Sea restoration by integrating it with the growing sector of green hydrogen production.
The strategy involves utilising the oxygen co-produced during the water electrolysis – a process of producing hydrogen – to rejuvenate marine ecosystems.
This “super-green” hydrogen production can be vital for financing Baltic Sea Oxygenation.
Matthieu Guesné, founder and chief executive of Lhyfe, said: “Reoxygenation is at the heart of the Lhyfe project.
“Back in 2017, we imagined a way of massively decarbonising transport and industry by producing and supplying renewable hydrogen and, at the same time, contributing to the reoxygenation of the oceans as part of our offshore projects.
“We are very proud to be taking this next step with Flexens and DEEP, Stockholm University.
“Through this type of initiative, as well as reducing our carbon footprint, we can imagine providing a service to the environment and having a positive impact on the natural ecosystem.”