Introducing Ice Thickening:
Encouraging the natural process of Arctic sea ice generation.
Introducing Ice Thickening:
Encouraging the natural process of Arctic sea ice generation.
The ability of sea ice to reflect significant amounts of solar radiation plays a major role in the Earth Energy Balance.
the balance between the amount of incoming solar radiation and outgoing terrestrial radiation.
Through our field studies, we are working to demonstrate a rigorous, data‑driven approach to technology development that thoughtfully integrates traditional knowledge, empirical science, and innovative engineering.
Through our field studies, we are working to demonstrate a rigorous, data‑driven approach to technology development that thoughtfully integrates traditional knowledge, empirical science, and innovative engineering.
Through our field studies, we are working to demonstrate a rigorous, data‑driven approach to technology development that thoughtfully integrates traditional knowledge, empirical science, and innovative engineering.
Scaling
A
A
Renewable energy generation (wind or solar power) would be used to create green Hydrogen as close to its point of use as practical. At scale, this energy can be used to power underwater drones in a highly adaptive deployment to restore and preserve Arctic sea ice in areas where it is most viable and needed.
B
B
The water pumping system for large-scale operations will be delivered by an underwater drone powered by batteries charged at hubs. Depending on the conditions that each drone finds in a particular location, it will remain in position from a few hours to a few days, automatically returning to its hub for refuelling.
C
C
At the start of winter, seawater is pumped onto the sea‑ice surface from below, turning the insulating snow into slush which freezes into an additional layer of ice. Real Ice field test results from 2023 and early 2024 indicate that this flooding method is an effective intervention. Flooding the surface exposes the ice surface to colder air, thickens the upper ice layer, and promotes further growth at the ice-ocean interface where sea ice naturally forms. Depending on initial ice thickness and subsequent snowfall, this process can be repeated once or twice during the early winter period.
D
D
At the end of winter, the same drones are used to drill drainage holes through the ice once meltwater has pooled on the surface, allowing that water to escape. This reveals the brighter underlying ice and our studies demonstrate that it increases the surface reflectivity of the sea ice for several additional weeks.
Guiding Scientific Principles
Work with, not against, natural processes
Real Ice’s experimental designs aim to enhance existing sea‑ice formation and growth rather than override or replace natural Arctic systems, focusing on winter‑only, low‑emissions interventions that complement - not substitute for - emissions cuts and broader climate action.
Work with, not against, natural processes
Real Ice’s experimental designs aim to enhance existing sea‑ice formation and growth rather than override or replace natural Arctic systems, focusing on winter‑only, low‑emissions interventions that complement - not substitute for - emissions cuts and broader climate action.
Generate robust, decision‑grade evidence at each stage of the research
The project prioritises small‑scale, instrumented trials that can be executed in close collaboration with local researchers, rigorously monitored and compared against controls so that any future choices about larger deployments are grounded in empirical data, traditional knowledge, peer scrutiny, and transparent publication rather than assumptions or hype.
Generate robust, decision‑grade evidence at each stage of the research
The project prioritises small‑scale, instrumented trials that can be executed in close collaboration with local researchers, rigorously monitored and compared against controls so that any future choices about larger deployments are grounded in empirical data, traditional knowledge, peer scrutiny, and transparent publication rather than assumptions or hype.
Minimise risk through reversibility and ecological caution
Real Ice treats the Arctic as a high‑stakes environment, designing tests to be reversible, limited in space and time, and subject to indigenous knowledge, community consent, and regulatory oversight, with a presumption that scale‑up requires more understanding of risks, uncertainties, and unintended impacts.
Minimise risk through reversibility and ecological caution
Real Ice treats the Arctic as a high‑stakes environment, designing tests to be reversible, limited in space and time, and subject to indigenous knowledge, community consent, and regulatory oversight, with a presumption that scale‑up requires more understanding of risks, uncertainties, and unintended impacts.
Proving out a path forward
CRITICAL
PARTNERSHIPS
Co-research with local communities
Co-research with local communities
Engage with government & non-governmental organisations
Engage with government & non-governmental organisations
Support the deployment of devices from coastal bay to oceanic level
Support the deployment of devices from coastal bay to oceanic level
Partner with manufacturers to scale production of devices
Partner with manufacturers to scale production of devices
Economic
Viability
Can we develop an economic model that makes it attractive to execute at the scale necessary to restore arctic ice to pre-industrial levels and help slow warming of the planet due to climate change?
Can we develop an economic model that makes it attractive to execute at the scale necessary to restore arctic ice to pre-industrial levels and help slow warming of the planet due to climate change?
TECHNOLOGICAL
VALIDATION
Support scientific research
Support scientific research
Design & prototype re-icing devices
Design & prototype re-icing devices
Validate scientific results & test devices in field tests
Validate scientific results & test devices in field tests
Partner with industry experts
Partner with industry experts
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(63.740157, -68.511850).
Get Involved.
Preserving sea ice requires collective effort.
Partner on research, policy, or community engagement.
Support the research through funding or institutional collaboration.
Follow results as they are published and shared openly.
Get Involved.
Preserving sea ice requires collective effort.
Partner on research, policy, or community engagement.
Support the research through funding or institutional collaboration.
Follow results as they are published and shared openly.
Get Involved.
Preserving sea ice requires collective effort.
Partner on research, policy, or community engagement.
Support the research through funding or institutional collaboration.
Follow results as they are published and shared openly.