Several universities from across the UK and US are working together to understand and minimize the impact of clean energy technology and EV (electric vehicles) on the environment.
Experts getting involved in the initiative, are:
UK National Oceanography Centre
London’s National History Museum
University of Gothenburg, University of Leeds
The Lycell Centre at Heriot-Watt University
Florida State University, University of Hawaii
Japan Agency for Marina-Earth Science and Technology
Texas A&M who are partnering with battery metals start-up company Deep Green. Deep Green are investing $60 million towards this initiative.
The universities and research institutions want to explore and minimise impacts of collecting minerals for electric vehicles and clean energy from the deep sea. They want to address unanswered questions on the potential environmental impacts of collecting polymetallic nodules from the deep seabed of the Pacific Ocean.
As well as addressing the impact of sediment plumes on the deep-ocean fauna throughout the water column. 100 researchers for these institutions will study the entire water column, from seabed to surface.
The multi-year programme and data collected will allow for informed decision-making and regulatory development in the commencement of a new resource industry. This has the potential to provide billions of tonnes of the critical battery metals required for society’s focus on clean energy.