Frequently Asked Questions

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Absolutely. The work we do is based on proven technology based on decades of research and billions of dollars of investment in the past. We are building upon established technology; there is no doubt that our technology works. At its core, our bioreactor harnesses the power of nature to capture carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. Our bioreactor enables algae's unrivaled natural ability to remove carbon dioxide from the air. Each bioreactor provides a controlled environment for our algae to thrive and optimize its photosynthesis process.

We are constantly working towards optimizing the efficiency of our bioreactors.  Our present target is to get each bioreactor to operate at 60W.  Our goal is to further reduce this power consumption over time. We are looking into the possibility of generating electricity with generators using the biofuel we produce to power our network of bioreactors.

No, our bioreactors will run on renewable energy so as to not add to GHG emissions. Part of the research and development we do is to work towards minimizing the energy requirements of each bioreactor.  

Like many things in life, it comes down to a math problem.  Assuming a rate of approximately 40 billion tonnes of CO₂ emitted globally through human activity, we must find a way to reduce, capture and/or remove about 40 billion tonnes to effectively negate global CO₂ emissions, thereby reaching "net zero".

According to the United Nations Net Zero Coalition "...net zero means cutting carbon emissions to a small amount of residual emissions that can be absorbed and durably stored by nature and other carbon dioxide removal measures, leaving zero in the atmosphere." 

 Net Zero Coalition | United Nations 

It is our belief that the current global momentum towards renewable energy cannot be reversed by any one project, initiative, or policy, as the science is clear: the burning of fossil fuels is largely what got us into this crisis and we must do everything we can, using every tool in our toolbox to get out of this crisis.

While there may be downstream effects from our project’s ability to reduce the CO₂ in the air, including the possibility of lengthening the life of the fossil fuel industry, the world needs to dramatically reduce global CO₂ levels in order to mitigate, and eventually reverse the worst effects of climate change; furthermore, we have a finite window to accomplish this before it becomes more and more difficult to do so. 

There are also industries that will continue to rely on fossil fuels for the foreseeable future, such as the airline industry and maritime transport, and we must do everything we can to reach net zero as quickly as possible while understanding that the fossil fuel industry will continue to exist in the short- and medium-term.

The simple fact is that the world is in crisis.  As such, it is our objective to reduce global CO₂ levels in the safest, fastest and most effective way possible, as we have very little time to reduce, capture and remove excess CO₂ in the air before the cascading effects of climate change worsen.  

Simply put, we need to act, and we need to act now.  

Much of our algae will be buried in limestone. Under ideal conditions, carbon dioxide sequestered in limestone can be stored for millions of years. This is because the CO₂ reacts with the calcium and carbonate ions in limestone to form stable carbonate minerals. These minerals are essentially locked away in the rock formations, preventing the CO₂ from escaping back into the atmosphere. Underground limestone deposits can be found in numerous locations around the world.

We plan to convert some of the algae biomass we harvest for biofuel, to power our bioreactors. We will also be utilizing some of our algae biomass for various commercial applications, depending on the needs of the local community we are deployed in. 

Our long-term carbon sequestration plan will be determined on a case-by-case basis, based on the location of the deployment of our network of bioreactors. Our goal is to minimize the distance it takes to sequester the algae biomass into the ground from our processing facilities. We have numerous options to consider with each new deployment location. Working with local stakeholders on each new deployment, we will formulate our best course of action moving forward that maximizes the benefit to the local community. 

Monitoring for the reversal of sequestered carbon to the atmosphere is crucial for ensuring the effectiveness of carbon sequestration projects. We plan to engage the services of third-party specialists to monitor for reversals on our behalf, using a combination of ground-based monitoring and isotopic analysis. By hiring trusted third-party specialists to monitor for reversal, we add integrity to the process and ensure the job is done right.  

Our network of bioreactors will be built, owned, and operated by The Canterhill Carbon Project. 

As time is of the essence when dealing with the climate crisis, it is our aim to scale up the manufacturing capacity of our bioreactors as quickly as possible. As we do so, each unit will need to be strategically placed in highly populated areas as part of our global network.  Furthermore, each unit will need frequent servicing as the algae will need to be harvested on a consistent basis so that we can keep the rate of CO₂ capture and removal as high as possible. For these reasons, we will not be selling our bioreactors to the public, or to anyone else.  

Instead, we will be working with local governments to determine the safest and most secure placement of our units.  We will be coordinating closely with local and national governments and international bodies to create a global network capable of capturing the most CO₂ in the shortest amount of time in order to reach our global net zero objectives.

At some point in the future, when our global carbon exchange is online, we invite the public to purchase our carbon credits. Each of our carbon credits represent a precise amount of CO₂ removed from the air; the amount of CO₂ captured is easily verifiable and measurable through our algae harvesting process. Since our carbon credits will be reliable, measurable and verifiable, our carbon credits will be of the highest quality available anywhere.  We understand that the global community would like to help mitigate climate change, and purchasers of our carbon credits can be confident in the positive impact on the environment that their purchase will make.   

"The planet naturally releases and absorbs far more carbon dioxide than humans emit by burning fossil fuels. The problem is that human activities have thrown the Earth’s carbon cycle out of balance. "

How much carbon dioxide does the Earth naturally absorb? | MIT Climate Portal 

A quick glance at our By the Numbers page exemplifies this math problem: if approximately 250 billion tonnes of CO₂ are removed through photosynthesis by land and sea-based organisms, and we are only generating 40 billion tonnes of CO₂ per year, why are we so concerned about our CO₂ emissions?

The answer has to do with Earth's natural carbon cycle.  The earth since the last ice age has found an equilibrium between CO₂ input and output that allowed for a flourishing global ecosystem.  It is only with the addition of CO₂ emissions through the burning of fossil fuels that Earth's natural carbon cycle has been thrown off balance.  The accelerated rate at which humanity has added to Earth's carbon dioxide levels cannot be processed fast enough to keep pace with our burning of fossil fuels.  As such, the Earth's delicate balance has been disturbed, with dire consequences for humanity and Earth's ecosystems, including its biodiversity.

It is the aim of the Canterhill Carbon Project to help reduce carbon dioxide levels globally, in order to restore Earth's balance, protect diverse ecosystems, and ensure a healthy planet for generations to come.