Conventional desalination capacity is set to double by 2032, addressing critical water shortages while risking a massive surge in carbon emissions.
Current plants already generate over 400 million tons of CO2 annually—a figure that could double as tens of billion in new projects come online within the next 10 years.
As freshwater demand outpaces supply, we need solutions that can scale without increasing emissions. Flocean's subsea desalination system delivers precisely this: by placing reverse osmosis systems 500 meters underwater, we reduce energy consumption by 30-50% compared to conventional plants.
Reducing desalination’s carbon footprint
Energy is the critical cost driver in desalination, accounting for one-third to over half of total operational expenses. In Cyprus, where desalination supplies most freshwater, the process generates 2% of the country's total greenhouse gas emissions and consumes 5% of its power.
Flocean's subsea technology tackles this challenge head-on. Leading global certification body DNV has validated that our approach can achieve 30-50% energy savings compared to conventional systems once site-specific engineering is completed.
To verify these results in real-world conditions, we launched the Flocean Zero project in November 2024. Initial data analysis confirms our hypothesis: the deep ocean environment provides optimal conditions for high-efficiency desalination while dramatically reducing energy requirements.
The deep ocean advantage
Flocean's system achieves these efficiency gains through two fundamental advantages:
Natural Pressure Utilization: By placing reverse osmosis systems at 400-600 meters depth, we harness natural hydrostatic pressure to drive filtration without energy-intensive pumping systems.
Superior Water Quality: Deep ocean water contains significantly less life than surface water, dramatically reducing pre-treatment requirements and virtually eliminating biofouling - a persistent efficiency drain in conventional plants.
With freshwater demand projected to exceed supply by 40% by 2030, countries worldwide need solutions that address water security without compromising climate commitments.
Flocean's technology enables regions to deploy desalination at scale while significantly reducing the carbon footprint associated with freshwater production.
To learn how Flocean's subsea desalination can transform your region's water infrastructure, contact us at office@flocean.green for a customized assessment.
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