A suggestive combination of ancient civilizations; a likewise promising technological synergy towards the most advanced frontier in the alternative energy field.
Briefly this is the meaning of the visit to South Italy of the delegation of the People’s Republic of China Embassy. The delegation was led by Ambassador H.E. Dong Jinyi, the scientific advisor Sun Chengyong, was part of the delegation too, which visited Reggio Calabria first and then Messina in the afternoon.
The Reggio Calabria stop over reserved to the distinguished guests, the setting of an archeological museum. Incomparable ancient masterpieces like the “Riace’s Bronzes (V° century B.C.) and the Philosopher’s Head were admired. Works that recall the Xian Worriers (II century B.C.). Even if transformed into different material, the artists-inventors’ inspiration, far from each other space-wise, time-wise and culturally, aims to transmit an equal impression of pride and confidence in human possibilities. It's that same ancient creativity used today to solve one of the key problems of humanity’s future: the never ending energy supply needed to avoid a lack of available resources which could jeopardize the future of our planet.
This is the meaning of the second stage of H.E. Dong Jinyi's visit, on the other bank of the Straits, in Messina. Right there, facing the location of Ganzirri, for the last three years a yellow platform is part of the landscape. This platform holds in its center a turbine, capable of “pulling out” from the sea, the kinetic energy found in the marine currents, transforming it into electricity.
The turbine, invented and patented by Elio Matacena, president of the “Ponte di Archimede” S.p.A. – who accompanied the Chinese delegation through this calabro-sicilian visit – , represents a new human challenge of obtaining precious energy from the forces of nature. After the sun and wind it’s the sea the next exploitable natural resource thanks to which we should not experience the inevitable running out of oil and fossil fuels. The Kobold turbine, which was first refined in the laboratories of the University of Naples “Federico II”, is one of those new technologies that the People’s Republic of China intends to support in its momentum of modernization. “In an era in which the world lacks energy – Ambassador declared Dong Jinyi – it is very important that Italy and China cooperate in a study which exploits energy from marine currents. Many nations are engaged in the research of new sources of energy, but I believe that we, thanks to the Kobold, are at the forefront.”
I am flattered and spurred by H.E. Dong Jinyi’s appreciation – Elio Matacena stated – who becomes interpreter of his government attention towards this new technology which produces clean renewable energy. Such attention is witnessed, also by the fact that China is one of the protagonist countries in the spreading of Kobold farms around the Asiatic archipelagos. Part of a project which allies UNIDO – United Nations Industrial Development Organization – the governments the People’s Republic of China, the Philippines and Indonesia and the Italian “Ponte di Archimede" S.p.A..
But the Strait’s sea offers the most efficient message: on board the platform the delegation assisted live to the demonstration of how the local marine current, even if not very strong, is able to turn on 40 powerful reflectors.
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