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Faculty of Graduate Studies

Leslie Moffat

  • B.Sc. (University of Victoria, 2023)
Notice of the Final Oral Examination for the Degree of Master of Science

Topic

Offshore Carbon Sequestration using Renewable Ocean Energy as a means to meet the Paris Agreement

School of Earth and Ocean Sciences

Date & location

  • Friday, April 17, 2026
  • 10:00 A.M.
  • Clearihue Building, Room B021

Examining Committee

Supervisory Committee

  • Prof. Andrew Weaver, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of Victoria (Co-Supervisor)
  • Prof. Michael Eby, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, UVic (Co-Supervisor)
  • Dr. Anne-Sofie Ahm, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, UVic (Member)

External Examiner

  • Dr. Alvaro Montenegro, Department of Geography, Ohio State University

Chair of Oral Examination

  • Dr. Kieka Mynhardt, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, UVic

Abstract

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has identified the need for negative emission technologies to limit the rise in global mean surface air temperature to 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Coupled Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) and Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (DACCS) in marine environments could create a renewable-energy powered method of sequestering atmospheric CO2 to prevent surpassing, or limit overshoot, of this threshold. This research identifies the magnitude of coupled deployment required to prevent surpassing the 1.5°C and 2°C temperature thresholds. Through a series of sensitivity experiments, using the University of Victoria Earth System Climate Model, the effects of the initial climate state, OTEC cold-water intake depth, and deployment timeline are explored to maximize the efficiency of coupled OTEC and DACCS. Potential locations for coupled deployment are identified and used to estimate the magnitude of global mean surface air temperature reductions. Using estimates of the transient climate response to emissions and carbon emissions diagnosed from representative concentration pathways, target OTEC power production estimates were determined. By current DACCS technology standards, it was found that under low-emissions scenarios, no action is required to remain below either temperature threshold. The potential to satisfy required power production under moderate emission scenarios varied depending on the timeline. At no point could either temperature threshold goal be achieved under high-emission scenarios. Finally, the likelihood of remaining below the 1.5°C and 2.0°C thresholds was significantly improved assuming an increase in the energy efficiency of DACCS technology.

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