Current Project Status
- We have concluded a two-month trial at the Tufts Cove facility and are beginning data analysis.
- We continue to work transparently and cooperatively with regulatory and community groups to ensure the safety of the trial as we move forward.
Project Overview
Most Recent Update
- In late November 2023 we concluded our eight-week trial addition of alkalinity to the outfall at the Tufts Cove Generating Station. The site has been cleaned and our operations on site have largely ceased for the winter. Details about the past additions are available in this announcement, which was also provided to the community.
- We are beginning to analyze the data collected over the course of this trial. This analysis aims to quantify the net amount of carbon removal that the trial achieved, and to identify any effects it may have had on the marine ecosystem.Trial data and conclusions will be released to the community once this analysis is complete, in 2024.
- Dalhousie University is continuing to analyze the results of the monitoring they conducted independently in the area over the course of the trial, as well as an earlier dye tracer experiment conducted to verify and improve modelling in the area.
- We continue to welcome feedback from the community and local regulators, who will inform our plans for future operations.
Upcoming Data
Planetary is currently analysing data from the winter 2023 field trial at Tufts Cove. These analyses will be published on this page as they are completed. Our initial analysis of the data was shared in a presentation described here.
Data analyses from Planetary will include:
- A time series of dosing data, quantifying actual MH release over the course of the trial
- An estimate of net tonnes CO2 removed, to be validated by third parties
- An analysis of sediment metals content
- Plankton studies
- Toxicology studies
- Ocean chemistry data measuring the receiving waters and its response to dosing, including information collected near the outfall and at the mooring site.
Independent parties, such as Dalhousie University, have conducted their own research relating to Planetary’s trial, and will be publishing the results of their research on their own platforms. When those results are made available, Planetary will provide links to them below.
Project Timeline
Completion of in-lab and large scale “swimming pool” (mesocosm) experimental program.
Community outreach begins, including a CBC Interview with Will Burt.
Completion of a mesocosm-scale study of alkalinity in Halifax Harbour.
NS ECC concludes that Planetary’s proposed trial is of sufficiently small impact and should not require a full Environmental Assessment. Site planning commences for a September 2023 start date.
Version 2.0 of the Planetary MRV Framework published, incorporating input and data from early trials and community feedback.
Dalhousie is granted $154M by Canada First Research Excellence Fund.
Dye tracer release experiment completed.
Eight-week field trial completed.
Planetary’s Dr. Will Burt and Dalhousie University’s Dr. Katja Fennel presented information on the 2023 field trial and marine carbon removal to the Halifax Regional Municipality Environment and Sustainability Standing Committee. The Committee then asked questions. A recording of the presentation is available here (13:05-47:36).
Dr. Will Burt spoke to the Nova Scotian Institute of Science about Planetary’s Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE), focusing on our operations in Halifax leading up to and including our trial in winter 2023. Watch the talk and learn more in our blog.