Our Approach
There is no time for passive research on traditional timelines: we must commit to testing our hypothesis at scale, rapidly, in a way that brings immediate benefit to communities on the front lines of climate injustice – in this case, native Alaskan peoples.
Right now, we are working with native Alaskan kelp farmers on innovations that will, in the short term, make kelp farming easier, cheaper, and more predictable – great qualities for small-scale farms, but also mission-critical to the kind of large-scale farms we need for meaningful carbon sequestration.
We’re poised to move the needle in a sustainable and regenerative direction through a 3-phase approach:
Phase I: Partner with Indigenous kelp farmers as they incorporate our novel technology to improve yields
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Phase II: Prove the viability of regenerative deep blue carbon capture through marine benthic (bottom of the ocean) kelp sequestration
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Phase III: Scale our process to address the global need for massive carbon removal and validate the quality of Deep Blue carbon sequestration at scale
Innovations
Smart buoys
“Smart” buoy system equipped with sensors that monitor ocean conditions (e.g. water temperature, tidal and wave energy) and kelp growth and transmit that data back to kelp farmers on land.
Battery powered (rechargeable lithium ion) and made from biodegradable wood and composites that are safe for marine life.
Autonomous saildrone
12-meter self-piloting saildrone, equipped with solar panels and onboard AI. Utilizes solid airfoils for increased durability and reduced deployment complexity. AI ensures safe navigation, buoy deployment, and recovery.
On-shore operator can take control of saildrone in an emergency situation.
Mobile automated hatchery
A self-contained semi-autonomous kelp hatchery that self-regulates temperature, nutrients, and light to rear kelp "seed" for deployment on mariculture buoys.
Hatchery provides water filtration/purification and climate controls. Onboard sensor arrays communicate to central AI to meet projected seed requirements.
KelpTech Night School
Series of bi-weekly classes covering concepts in mechatronics with a specific focus on Python.
Students use relevant real-world challenges faced by native kelp farmers as use case problems to build concrete skills and grow their knowledge of crucial concepts in AI/ML/CV, automated systems, and sensor technology.
We have established workshops in Cordova, AK and Seattle, WA to build and test these components along with our partners. If you’re interested in supporting this work, please get in touch!