Climate change has become a significant global concern, and many companies have risen to the challenge of finding environmentally friendly solutions. Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) is one such solution, which captures and stores carbon dioxide in rocks and soils. ERW involves spreading crushed rocks and minerals on the soil, which reacts with carbon dioxide (CO2) to form new minerals. This process is known as mineral carbonation and can help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Know more about some of the successful ERW projects worldwide and analyze their strategies, outcomes, and lessons learned!
Analyzing successful Enhanced Rock Weathering projects
As we continue to witness the devastating effects of climate change, it has become increasingly imperative to find effective solutions that will mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
One innovative solution that has gained significant attention in recent years is Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW). ERW involves the use of natural rock minerals such as basalt, glauconite and other silicate rocks to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and convert it to other minerals like calcium and magnesium carbonate.
Several large-scale ERW projects have been implemented worldwide, with impressive outcomes in terms of carbon capture, climate change mitigation and soil regeneration. Let’s review some of them.
1 – GreenSkies Renewable Energy, Canada
GreenSkies Renewable Energy has implemented a large-scale project aimed at deploying basalt as a Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) solution. Basalt rock is mined from local sources and then crushed into small particles. The particles are then spread over farmland using conventional fertilizer equipment.
The objective of this project is to provide benefits to both agricultural soil and the environment. The project has been successful in reducing carbon emissions and boosting harvest yields in the farms.
2 – Cambridge Carbon Capture Project, UK
The Cambridge Carbon Capture Project, funded by the UK government, was established to yield valuable insights into the deployment and efficacy of the Enhanced Rock Weathering technique.
This project is based on a rocky outcrop of magnesium silicate in Scotland, where chipped pieces of rock were spread over test plots. The tests showed an impressive level of carbon sequestration and soil improvement. The project has been successful in showcasing the potential of ERW in delivering significant climate benefits.
3 – Carbon Clean Solutions, India
Carbon Clean Solutions has been working on a large-scale deployment of Enhanced Rock Weathering in India, aimed at developing an affordable method of CO2 capture. In their approach, the weathered rocks were mixed with industrial wastewater and the resultant slurry sprayed over nearby land and water sources.
The project has been achieving an impressive level of CO2 capture, and the company has now launched a new startup called Carbon Clean Solutions.
4 – Tugakawa, Japan
The Tugakawa project in Japan is focused on capturing carbon from remote coal-fired power plants. The ERW solution involves mixing crushed basalt with coal ash and spraying the resultant mixture over farmland.
The project has reported promising results with significant levels of carbon sequestration and soil regeneration at a very low cost.
5 – Green Minerals, Norway
Green Minerals has established a unique model for deploying Enhanced Rock Weathering in Norway, using local cost-effective resources. They have established a partnership with a local mining company that provided them with tailings from a local quarry.
The crushed tailings were then delivered to nearby agricultural lands. The project has already made significant strides in improving the local soil health, boosting crop yields, and carbon sequestration.
6 – Project Carbfix, Iceland
Project Carbfix is one of the successful ERW projects, located in Iceland. It involves injecting carbon dioxide into basalt rock formations, which then react with minerals to form stable carbonates.
This project has been successful in storing carbon dioxide underground permanently. The research conducted by Carbfix proves that ERW has the potential to permanently capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
7 – Aerial reforestation, Myanmar
Aerial Reforestation is a social enterprise established in Myanmar, which focuses on creating sustainable forests using eroded and barren lands. To enhance mineral weathering in the soil, Aerial Reforestation uses lime and rock dust mixtures while planting trees.
This mixture helps to neutralize the acidity of the soil and increases the growth rate of plants. Due to the success of this project, Aerial Reforestation is expanding to other developing countries where the availability of forest cover is comparatively less.
8 – Solid Carbon Products, Canada
Solid Carbon Products is a Canadian-based company that creates value through mineralization technology to store carbon dioxide. This company captures carbon dioxide emissions from flue gases and injects them into mine tailings in the form of minerals.
These minerals become stable, and carbon dioxide is permanently stored. Solid Carbon Products is currently working with several industries to capture their carbon dioxide emissions and store them using mineralization technology.
9 – Crops for the Future, Malaysia
Crops for the Future is a research center based in Malaysia, which focuses on improving food and nutrition security for future generations. The company is working on improving soil quality using enhanced rock weathering.
The research so far has shown that the addition of crushed basalts and silicates to the soil increases plant growth and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. This process is not only environmentally sustainable, but it also improves soil health while increasing crop yields.
10 – Glanris, United States
Glanris is a US-based start-up, located in Tennessee, that produces sustainable filter media using natural minerals. This filter media is used in wastewater and industrial water treatment applications.
This start-up uses ERW technology to produce naturally occurring mineral media that can remove contaminants from water. Glanris has received numerous awards and grants for its work, including the 2020 Water Company of the Year from the Water and Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Association (WWEMA).
ERW is a promising opportunity to help clean the atmosphere from greenhouse gases and there’s need for investment in more projects
To resume, Enhanced Rock Weathering presents a promising opportunity for the capture and permanent storage of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
The success stories of these major projects show that ERW can be implemented cost-effectively and have impressive outcomes in carbon capture, soil health, and crop productivity. By investing in these companies, investors gain a unique opportunity to participate in carbon capture and climate change mitigation.
With continuous innovation, research, and investment, Enhanced Rock Weathering could become a major solution for climate change mitigation in the future.
