Messina plays an important role in the alternative energy technology field.
One of the most advanced UNIDO’s project concerns the installment of the patented Kobold turbine, producer of electric energy from marine currents, in the archipelagos situated in the People’s Republic of China, in Philippines and in Indonesia. This is one of the innovative proposals of “Ponte di Archimede SpA”, chaired by Elio Matacena.
Waiting to be under the world’s search lights, next 15th and 16th September, Messina is the place where an International conference dedicated to such technology will be held. The city will offer hospitality during those days to Mr. Emilio Vento, responsible of the UNIDO advanced technology transfer and project manager of the initiative.
“The UNIDO relationship with “Ponte di Archimede" SpA, was born in Manila through a contact between the Philippines UNIDO’s representative and a delegation of the Italian company. A complex project has become reality, involving not only the UNIDO Headquarters in Vienna, but also the Governments of the People’s Republic of China, of Indonesia and of the Philippines. In order to explore the potential of the Kobold’s applications, using Italian Foreign Ministry funds, three seminars have been carried out in the three Asiatic countries.
The Messina’s event will be final stage of these meetings. Not only there will be an on site check of the Kobold prototype’s features already working in the Straits. The meeting will also talk about setting out of the cooperation agreement for the Kobold's technology transfer and its innovative applications from Italy towards the three nations currently involved.
Three other prospective Pacific countries have shown interest, like the Maldives. A promising beginning: “We’re not at the beginning, because we’re already at an advanced stage, of solutions capable of rendering suitable the Kobold installation, according to the specific needs of the different countries. We’re dealing with - Mr. Vento stresses – the fact of taking the development of these territories towards energy availability more predictable than the actual one. Presently the mentioned territories are subjected to the tyranny of scarce energy resources, expensive and not renewable. A barrel of oil costing 60 US dollars represents, in proportion, for many of the local inhabitants, the equivalent of three months salary.
Instead marine currents, especially in that region are part of every day life”.
Those same marine currents which Homer mythicized because they were terrifying for sailors. Instead if exploited in a suitable way they can become the energy resource of the XXI century.
UNIDO, having the UN’s authority, as operative arm in assisting developing countries which are trying to conquer better social and economic conditions, wants to deeply explore the opportunities of this innovative technology.
The UNIDO officer states: "According to preliminary studies, the estimated energy production of the Kobold turbine, gives a promising solutions for coastal regions of many developing countries. A solution either for civil use or for industrial activities. The extreme interests of the Asiatic opponents with whom we are developing this project, is demonstrated by the expected presence of high level government representatives. They will find a warm and encouraging welcome, as I have verified during official meetings with the Commissioner of Messina’s Municipality, Mr. Bruno Sbordone, the Chancellor of University, Prof. Tommasello, Eng. Gaetano Cacciola, director of the CNR “Nicola Giordano” Center in Messina and the President of “Horcynus Orca” Park, Prof. Gaetano Giunta”.
The vice-president of “Ponte di Archimede SpA”, Mr. Ludovico Fulci, who accompanied during his Messina mission the UNIDO representative, expressed the company’s satisfaction for such a significant event and for the promising prospective:
“In fact the prospective is connected to the realization of a huge interregional project of electrification in Asia. Together with the creation of a UNIDO international center for the study and the diffusion of technologies connected to the marine world. These technologies have also been studied by the Orcynus Horca” Technology Park of Messina, involving also the University of Messina and University of Reggio Calabria."
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