'Team points' are awarded according to the adequacy of the solution with the type of innovations sought by Team for the Planet. They correspond to the analysis of several factors :
Submitted to the Sci. Committee : After the evaluations made by our volunteer assessors, innovations with the strongest impact potential are submitted to the Scientific Committee. The managing directors are responsible for the choice.
Macro-algae forests capture enormous amounts of carbon, re-develop aquatic life and can be harvested to feed the world's population.
The innovation addresses the issue of global warming and the drastic decrease in the amount of fish in the ocean.
We offer to cultivate macro-algae in large farms in the open sea. Giant macro-algae are a more efficient natural carbon sink than pristine forests. Kelp forests will replenish large stocks of fish that can support sustainable fisheries.
Algae and their derivatives are used in a dozen of sectors. We believe that the most promising outlets are: human food, animal feed, biofuels, and bio-stimulants for agriculture.
The process is totally innovative. It is based on a flexible structure placed underwater in the open sea on which the kelp grows. This system is connected to pumps that supply it with nutrients and cool water. The macro-nutrients are pumped from depths up to 500m. The pumps are powered by the movement of the waves and do not consume energy. The system is therefore completely autonomous.