Ocean water plant offers opportunities for sustainable horticulture in Curacao

To renewable energy sources such as sun, wind and geothermal energy, a new one might be added in the near future: ocean water. Dutch company Bluerise is building a plant on Curacao that makes it possible to cool the country’s airport with cold seawater. As part of the innovation, work is being done on the realization of a greenhouse project. Priva is also involved in this venture.
Recently Meiny Prins, CEO of Priva, and Sjöfn Sigurgisladottir, general manager of Ocean Ecopark from Bluerise, signed an extensive cooperation project. Bluerise, the company by CEO Remi Blokker, will build a seawater plant in Curacao. Additionally, there are advanced plans for a sustainable electricity plant and the development of the Curacao Ocean Ecopark. For the realization of the latter, Bluerise partnered up with Priva.

Economically feasible
The project consists of several parts. Central is the construction of a so-called SWDC (Seawater District Cooling) along the coast of the island, near the airport. "The idea is to cool the complex using the cold sea water. Compared with the current air conditioning system, this means a saving of 90% on energy costs," explains Remi Blokker.
In addition, a 500 kW pilot OTEC plant (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion) is built. The starting point is the large temperature difference between the ocean water at the surface (± 24 degrees C) and the water a mile deep (4 degrees C). "Where you have hot and cold water, you can make energy," says Blokker. "One of the great benefits of OTEC is that it is a so-called base load renewable resource, so 24 hours a day. Ocean Thermal Energy is a principle that can be applied in many warm areas, both in the Caribbean and in Asia. we are confident that we can bring this technology to maturity, ie make it economically feasible."

Pragmatic solution
Because of the high energy costs for cooling greenhouses and the combination of high temperatures and high humidity, high-tech greenhouse cultivation was never a real option in tropical regions. "By making use of deep water cooling we create new opportunities," says John van der Wilk of Priva. "For example, after cooling the airport, the return water (still cold enough) can be used as feed water for cooling the greenhouse. During the night there is excess capacity and the cold water is stored in a buffer so that return water and cold deep sea water can be used for the realization of an optimum climate. In addition, condensation for the cultivation can be collected for reuse. " He sees more benefits such as a boost for employment. Moreover, there is no reason why the OTEC-business model might not work in countries like Indonesia, Philippines and Brazil.

Impulse for sustainability
Priva's CEO Meiny Prins calls the new technology a very interesting development. "We are very focused on the possibilities of cross-overs. Where knowledge of water, energy and climate reinforce each other, we are seriously interested in participating in the project, and to contribute with our knowledge and experience." As an international player in horticulture, Priva has developed a lot of knowledge and creativity in recent decades. Sustainability is one of the company’s main concerns. "In that vein, Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion can be a very stimulating new option."

Involvement of growers
Within the cooperation with Bluerise, Priva participates in a new role. John van der Wilk: "Together with Bluerise, we’ll be explicitly at the helm of the greenhouse project. That also means a coordinating role and responsibility in choosing the right partners.”
Meiny Prins thereby sees good opportunities to entice local growers to join the project. "You can first build the greenhouse, using developers, and then have growers rent a portion of the structure. With the money earned, they may be able to build their own greenhouse as part of the overall project. That in turn can attract new growers.”

http://www.hortidaily.com/article/9070/Ocean-water-plant-offers-opportu…