Advanced Green Hydrogen Venture Unveiled: Lhyfe, Flexens, and Stockholm University Collaborate on Baltic Sea Reoxygenation - Dubbed the BOxHy Project: "Fighting Anoxia in the Baltic"
The Baltic Sea Oxygenation and Super-Green Hydrogen Economy project, or "BOxHy", is a collaborative effort between Flexens, Lhyfe, and Stockholm University's Department of Ecology, Environment, and Plant Sciences (DEEP). This initiative aims to combat anoxia (oxygen depletion) in the Baltic Sea by injecting oxygen deep into the water, thereby restoring oxygen levels in the sea's dead zones. Additionally, the project integrates green hydrogen production from renewable sources, linking environmental restoration with sustainable energy development.
The project was first envisioned by Matthieu Guesné, founder and CEO of Lhyfe, in 2017. One of the key figures in the project is Dr. Patricia Handmann, Oxygen advisor at Lhyfe, who is responsible for securing the interest, sustainability, and feasibility of reoxygenation as an artificial environmental mitigation measure.
The main objective of the BOxHy project is to tackle the problem of anoxia in the Baltic Sea by injecting oxygen into the sea via adapted, existing technology. To achieve this, the project will investigate the integration of DOI technology with offshore hydrogen production platforms and their replicability in the Baltic Sea environment. Flexens' role in the project includes mapping existing and potential Power-to-X projects to find connections with anoxic regions, determining the electrolyser capacity required to meet the oxygen demand in these regions, and investigating the energy supply availability for potential large-scale electrolysers from planned offshore wind farms.
The project commenced in October 2023 and is expected to conclude in October 2024, and is funded by the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) Fund. Jakob Walve, marine ecologist at DEEP, will primarily evaluate the suitability of different coastal bays for testing oxygenation on a pilot scale and assess anoxic areas and volumes in the BOxHy project.
The BOxHy project proposes a symbiotic approach to Baltic Sea restoration by integrating it with the growing sector of green hydrogen production. It aims to not only explore the expansion of the 'super-green' hydrogen economy but also to ignite vital discussions on this topic, and organise informational events and oversee the creation and publication of a project report. The project will also identify a suitable fjord-scale pilot site for DOI and begin its preparations, including stakeholder engagement and identifying potential funding sources.
The project is supported by the Science and Technology Advisory Committee (STACO), a panel of 9 experts in oxygenation from around the world, to bridge the knowledge gap between the scientific and engineering world concerning oxygenation. The BOxHy project is chaired by Jakob Walve as scientific Co-chair and Patricia Handmann as industry Co-chair for the STACO panel.
Deep oxygen injection (DOI) is a method where pure oxygen gas is released deep under the water’s surface, below a region where strong changes in water density occur, using a system that spreads out the oxygen evenly with micro-bubbles. Restoring the oxygen conditions of the Baltic Sea deep water by long-term oxygen additions could have many positive effects on the Baltic Sea ecosystem, including expanding the habitat for cod reproduction and feeding, and lowering phosphorus concentrations.
By addressing anoxia in the Baltic Sea and integrating green hydrogen production, the BOxHy project offers a promising solution for both environmental restoration and sustainable energy development. The estimated oxygen demand below the pycnocline in the Baltic Sea Proper and Gulf of Finland is 10,000 to ~15,000 tons per day, and the project aims to make significant strides towards meeting this demand. The project is an exciting step forward in the fight against ocean depletion and the promotion of renewable energy sources.
- The Baltic Sea Oxygenation and Super-Green Hydrogen Economy project (BOxHy) incorporates the production of green hydrogen from renewable sources, linking environmental restoration with the growth of a hydrogen economy.
- Matthieu Guesné, founder and CEO of Lhyfe, conceived the BOxHy project in 2017, aiming to combat anoxia in the Baltic Sea and advance sustainable energy development.
- The BOxHy project is supported by the Science and Technology Advisory Committee (STACO), a panel of nine experts in oxygenation from around the world, to bridge the knowledge gap between the scientific and engineering communities.
- Themain objective of BOxHy is to tackle the problem of anoxia in the Baltic Sea by injecting oxygen into the sea via adapted, existing technology.
- The integration of Deep Oxygen Injection (DOI) technology with offshore hydrogen production platforms is under investigation in the BOxHy project for its replicability in the Baltic Sea environment.
- The BOxHy project is chaired by Jakob Walve as scientific Co-chair and Patricia Handmann as industry Co-chair for the STACO panel.
- The BOxHy project proposes a symbiotic approach to Baltic Sea restoration, combining it with the expanding sector of green hydrogen production.
- Deep oxygen injection is a method where pure oxygen gas is released deep under the water's surface, benefiting the Baltic Sea ecosystem by expanding cod reproduction and feeding habitats and lowering phosphorus concentrations.
- Flexens' role in the BOxHy project includes mapping potential Power-to-X projects to find connections with anoxic regions, determining required electrolyser capacity, and investigating energy supply availability for potential large-scale electrolysers.
- By restoring the oxygen conditions of the Baltic Sea deep water through long-term oxygen additions, the BOxHy project offers a promising solution for both environmental restoration and sustainable energy development.
- The estimated oxygen demand below the pycnocline in the Baltic Sea Proper and Gulf of Finland is 10,000 to ~15,000 tons per day, and the project aims to make significant strides towards meeting this demand.
- The BOxHy project is an exciting development in the fight against ocean depletion and the promotion of renewable energy sources, and it encourages discussions on the growing hydrogen economy and the potential integration of green hydrogen projects with health and wellness, lifestyle, home and garden, technology, online education, and even sports industries like racing and grand prix.
