Turning cold water into energy

Santo Domingo: Urging island nations to harness the power of the oceans for their energy needs, development experts have unveiled some of the world's most innovative technologies using cold sea water.

"We're talking about using cold sea water to make cold, hard cash," asserted Lelei TuiSamoa LeLaulu, president of SOS Caribe, a company pioneering the use of cold water technologies.

Referring to sea water air conditioning (SWAC) and a similar technology, ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), which generates energy by harnessing the difference between deep ocean water and warmer surface water, Lelaulu says "it does not make sense to import expensive oil from thousands of miles away when the ocean can give us our energy needs."

David Jourdan, a noted ocean explorer featured on National Geographic and Discovery channels and president of Common Heritage Corporation which pioneered cold water use in Hawaii, added that both OTEC and seawater air conditioning can also produce fresh water daily by capturing condensation from the cold water pipes.

Cold water agriculture which passes cold water pipes underground had made soils extraordinarily productive and reduced the need for surface watering, reported Jourdan who operates experimental "ColdAg" farms.

Many of the technologies promoted by SOS Caribe were developed by the legendary deep sea scientist and Common Heritage Corporation founder, Dr. John Craven, who has been involved in every major ocean innovation in the US over the past 40 years.

Addressing the growing importance of carbon trading, SOS Caribe director Jaime Moreno observed "the use of cold water technologies is not only immensely sustainable but is also a valuable clean development mechanism asset." Speaking at FUNGLODE, a leading think tank in the capital of the Dominican Republic set up by its President Leonel Fernandez.

Then we'll expand to other countries in the region." he said. Santo Domingo, Prensa Latina