In this episode Kimberly Gilbert from pHathom Technologies shares her work on ocean-based carbon storage. Their approach involves capturing CO2 directly from flue gas at coastal biomass power plants, converting the CO2 into bicarbonate by neutralizing it with limestone, and then storing the bicarbonate in the ocean. We talk about various challenges and considerations around measurement, strategies for engaging with the coastal communities near the project sites, how various ecosystem actors are working together, cost drivers, and regulatory challenges for those working in the space.
Editorial note: We attributed the “Focused Research Investments” concept to Dalhousie University; there are people involved from Dalhousie, but the umbrella organization is actually Research Nova Scotia. This interview was originally recorded on Apr 22, 2025.
Groups and projects mentioned
Foresight Canada recently announced pHathom as their "Startup of the Year"
Research Nova Scotia’s “Focused Research Investments (FRI)” model
“We won't achieve gigatonne carbon removal” by Nick van Osdol & Paul Gambill
Show discussion
[00:02:19] Challenges with Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE)
[00:04:48] Measuring the dispersal of bicarbonate across the ocean
[00:05:40] Measuring local environmental impact, co-benefits, and the importance of community buy-in
[00:09:57] Canada's leadership role in marine CDR and coastal research
[00:12:28] Problems that aren't a good fit for academia or the private sector
[00:15:35] Cost drivers for field trial measurements
[00:19:19] Input costs: pumping water and limestone
[00:24:00] How to drive down the cost of limestone
[00:27:46] On-site water treatment as a platform for other aspects of water system health; co-benefits for lobsters, oysters, and algae
[00:30:09] Carbon Credits & CDR's Monopsony Problem
[00:33:53] Useful Metaphors & Mental Models
[00:37:18] Considerations for focusing on carbon capture + carbon storage jointly vs standalone services
[00:39:09] Regulatory Bottlenecks: Permitting Challenges
[00:41:43] Funding & Research Priorities
[00:44:37] Groups that should be collaborating more
[00:47:12] Learning & Inspiration from Adjacent Fields
[00:50:53] Talent Bottlenecks & Talent Pipelines
[00:56:46] The global vs local tension around climate issues; value for understanding and emphasizing local cobenefits
