2022 – Present
Identification of clean energy investments to reduce and eliminate diesel generation in small island micro-grids and grid-edge areas. Technical solutions include smart power monitoring, diesel-battery hybrid operations, solar thermal air conditioning, heat to power with modular organic Rankine cycle (ORC) systems, floating solar, and ultra capacitor energy storage. Complementary solutions in hydroponic vertical farming, coral cultivation, regenerative marine aquaculture, and hybrid/electric boats.
Initial project development focus is on private resorts in the Maldives which rely on diesel generation for electricity and water production, and which are 100% reliant on imported food.
2020 - 2022
Asian Development Bank (ADB) technical advisor for identification of new ocean economy investments in offshore renewable energy for “power to X” businesses which are built on marine aquaculture, reefs, renewable energy, and ecotourism for ecosystem services (MARES). Opportunities have been identified for megawatt and gigawatt scale floating solar, wind, ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), in-stream tidal conversion, all of which can be combined with regenerative marine aquaculture. A “cash for floating clunkers” business model has been proposed to monetize avoided greenhouse gas emissions from accelerated retirement of ocean-going ships which are repurposed as MARES “arks.”
2022 – Present
Reef cultivation on metal structures which can be designed as a living breakwater, or other structure to suit site-specific applications such as sport diving and sport fishing.
This system electrolytic mineral accretion to grow calcium carbonate (CaCO3) on metal substrates. Each ton of CaCO3 sequesters 0.44 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).
We can grow reefs faster than pollution is killing them off. Islands can avoid being drowned by sea level rise with an aggressive reef cultivation program: the reefs provide protection from waves and storm events, and provide sediment for beach nourishment. Islands which dredge sand for beach nourishment are fighting a losing battle: this nature-based solution offers the same or better physical protection while also creating natural capital.
No-feed marine aquaculture can be deployed to improve and ensure island food security. The shells of shellfish are made of CaCO3, and each ton of CaCO3 sequesters 0.44 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). This is “carbon capture utilization and storage” that actually works!