It will be built in the Messina Strait, between Capo Peloro and the Scilla Castle, in a part of the Horcynus Orca Park. The Center is going to be the first center in the world dedicated to studies and research in the field of sea exploitation for energy purposes.
UNIDO – United Nations Industrial Development Organization – an United Nations Agency for the development of emerging countries, will be promoting the Center.
The Center’s creation will be the natural evolution of a project which has UNIDO as protagonist: Ponte di Archimede Company, chaired by Elio Matacena (Cavaliere del Lavoro, an Italian decoration), aims to propagate its vertical-axis turbine patented Kobold, considering it as a revolutionary technology able to produce energy from exploiting marine currents.
In fact the turbine has a promising prospective of being installed in Kobold Farms around the archipelagos of the People’s Republic of China, Indonesia and the Philippines. These populated islands are presently not connected to any national power electricity grid. Last September several representatives from diplomatic delegations, Professors from universities and research institutes of the three Asiatic countries attended a UNIDO Summit held in Messina. During this summit they elaborated an action strategy for an affective territorial application of the project and for its international fund raising.
Yesterday and today, in Scilla and Messina, UNIDO exponents, of the Calabria Region, represented by Mr. Michelangelo Tripodi; for the Sicilian Region, the Councilor for Tourism, Mr. Fabio Granata represented by Eng. Antonello Giunta; from the University of Reggio Calabria, the Dean of theUniversity, Prof. Alessandro Bianchi; from the University of Messina, Prof. Eugenio Guglielmino, Dean of the Faculty of Naval Engineering; from the CNR ITAE, its Director Gaetano Cacciola; exponents from the Horcynus Orca Park and from Ponte di Archimede SpA, have interlaced their initial synergies necessary for the Center's take off and have launched it towards an international rank positioning.
“With the UN’s support, the Horcynus Orca Park – stated its President Gaetano Giunta – evolves its mission from a multidisciplinary center destined to a scientific divulgation, to an international hub for research, training and transfer of knowledge and technologies linked to the marine environment. This is proof of how the South of Italy is able to present itself as “cultural innovative incubator” capable of inventing forms of joint relationships with the South of the world."
"UNIDO role is that of being an access facilitator for the development in favor of emerging countries - Emilio Vento stated, Project Manager for the United Nations’ Agency - UNIDO is strongly following the objective of spreading new technologies and particular applied research of all the activities founded in the Horcynus Orca Park.
All innovative technologies in the energy field is, in fact, fundamental for the development of many emerging countries. These countries could make the sea become a primary source for economic growth and energy supply. We are interested in supporting this initiative until it obtains a worldwide valence. Consequently we intend to increase the value of all the studies and applications done on these issues. These studies will be supported worldwide thanks to a networking action done by Messina’s Centre. Furthermore, according to a geographical point of view, Messina is placed in a strategic position making it become an excellent international point of reference."
“I’m proud – Elio Matacena, President of “Ponte di Archimede SpA” said – that the turbine patented Kobold, button-hole flower of my company, is the forerunner of a radical turning-point which involves the use of marine currents as clean and renewable energy sources. They can become the planet’s future oil, with the indispensable advantage of being inexhaustible. The birth of a Center in Messina can be considered a “Homeric” revenge: according to the “Cariddi” myth, the currents that scourge the Straits, making seaworthiness treacherous, represent a negative symbol. On the contrary nowadays they become a progress bulwark and symbol of scientific cooperation among Nations."
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