This technology of extracting electricity from marine currents has been invented by a true Neapolitan man; the results of this creativity “will infect” Asia, under UNIDO's patronage, an United Nation’s Agency, which has the mission of supporting industrial growth in developing countries.
The vertical-axis Kobold turbine, patented by Elio Matacena, president of “Ponte di Archimede”, true Neapolitan, is making itself known to such a point of having generated attention in the academic, in the research, institutional and in the Italian and international development cooperation world. Such attention regards the enormous potentialities offered by the sea as a never ending renewable and clean energy source.
The energy “emitted” by the turbine is also symbolically relentless: UNIDO has been inspired by the efficiency of producing energy through the Kobold and it has launched a project which aims to the spread of this technology around the archipelagos of the People’s Republic of China, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Bilateral conferences organized by UNIDO set in the three involved Countries, between February and April 2005, culminated in a multilateral Conference, currently in Messina.
Right there Matacena’s invention has been installed in the turbulent waters of the Straits and it has fertilized minds inspiring new initiatives. First of all the creation of an international Center of Excellence for the study of energy from the sea, in synergy with universities and research centers of the four countries involved – the three Asiatic and Italy – in which “Ponte di Archimede” SpA will have the role of technological coordinator.
This Center will surely interest also Southern universities. Everyone will be concentrated on issues related with sea environment, considering it as a privileged way of transportation as well as energy resource.
“I’m deeply touched – Elio Matacena declared – for the amplifying effect that my “creation” is receiving. Its promising results have not only stirred up interest in the UN, of which UNIDO is the operative arm in the industrial development field, but they have also provided a fertile ground of alliance between Italy (which is not always advanced in the environmental technology field) and some important Asiatic Nations, like the Chinese giant.
I feel particularly flattered by the fact that from Messina’s conference arose the idea of a International Center of Excellence, regarding sea energy, which will turn its attention to all sorts of energy gushed from the sea: from marine currents, but also from waves and tides. Another reason to be proud is for me – Matacena concluded – President Ciampi’s warm message referred to the participants of the conference held in Messina. The message confirms the Head of State's attention towards environmental issues and reflects his pride for an Italian technology, which will help to emancipate Asian populations of the People’s Republic of China, Indonesia and Philippines, from a strong energy dependence from gasoline electricity generators.”
Meanwhile, a new horizon opens: the one regarding fund raising for the project. These funds requested by the Governments interested in the project, could be financed by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.
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