π§ They are developing a technology to restore sea ice in the Arctic
The company Real Ice is developing a technology to preserve and restore sea ice in the Arctic. The method uses renewable energy to pump seawater onto the ice and create extra ice layers. Testing of the technology in Arctic conditions will soon begin.
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- The company Real Ice is developing a technology to preserve and restore sea ice in the Arctic.
- The method uses renewable energy to pump seawater onto the ice and create extra ice layers.
- Testing of the technology in Arctic conditions will soon begin.
The technology behind ice preservation
Real Ice has developed a method called AquaFreeze to preserve sea ice in the Arctic. The technology uses renewable energy from wind or solar to generate green hydrogen. This hydrogen powers underwater drones that pump seawater onto the ice.
The process occurs in two steps:
- At the beginning of winter, seawater is pumped onto the ice to create an extra layer of ice.
- At the end of winter, the snow layer is recreated to protect the ice from solar radiation during the summer.
The underwater drones are powered by fuel cells and can stay in place for several hours or days depending on ice conditions.
Real Ice has also constructed a portable power station powered by hydrogen fuel cells. This station can power the water pump for several hours with a single hydrogen cylinder.
Company background
Real Ice started as an initiative from The Siku Project in 2019. With the help of 27 volunteers, the first technical concept was developed. The project quickly gained global attention and was featured in a trailer for Hyundai and UNDP's "For Tomorrow" initiative.
In 2021, Real Ice was formalized as a British company. Today, the company collaborates with Arctic researchers, engineers, and climate scientists to test the AquaFreeze method under Arctic conditions.
The importance of sea ice in the Arctic
Sea ice in the Arctic plays an important role in keeping ocean and global temperatures down. Unfortunately, the Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the Earth, leading to the melting of sea ice.
Real Ice's goal is to contribute to keeping sea ice in the Arctic year-round. By extending the lifespan of sea ice, humanity can gain more time to adapt to and mitigate climate change.
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