12 Mediterranean cities, organizations seek innovative solutions for harnessing marine energy

Cities, organizations, and businesses in various parts of the Mediterranean have issued calls for proposals for a total of 12 “open innovation challenges” within the framework of the Blue Deal project, which aims to promote the use of marine renewable energy sources. The planned projects include using seawater energy for heating and cooling, harnessing wave energy to generate electricity, and turning seaweed into biofuel.

Invitations for proposals under the Blue Deal open innovation challenges are being sought in Albania, Croatia, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, and Spain. The deadline to send proposals is November 30.

A seawater heat pump will be deployed in Albania’s Saranda for heating and cooling the port building

The Albanian port of Saranda has issued a call for proposals for the installation a seawater heat pump to cover heating and cooling needs of its main building. The proposed heat pump will operate with seawater, though not directly from the sea, but through a drilled well in close proximity to it, according to the announcement.

Italy’s Marina di Pescara is looking to convert wave energy into electricity

Italy’s Marina di Pescara, one of the country’s biggest tourist ports, is looking for solutions to generate electricity from waves as part of a plan to carry out an energy transition to renewables. It currently takes energy from the electricity grid and uses natural gas.

Also in Italy, the municipality of San Felice Circeo plans to use wave energy for recharging small electric vehicles, such as electric bikes or scooters. It intends to install a system of parking/ recharging stations in the vicinity of its touristic port and the waterfront lane.

The Spanish port of Valencia is also seeking to harness wave energy as well as other renewable sources

In Spain, the port of Valencia has invited applications seeking to find new technologies that will allow it to harness its vast renewable resources such as waves, wind, or solar. Such a solution would utilize the existing port infrastructure, providing a model for other ports around the world that seek to become greener.

Larnaka in Cyprus hopes to find a solution for turning washed-up seaweed into biofuel

The coastal city of Larnaka in Cyprus is looking for an innovative, sustainable solution to convert washed-up seaweed from its beaches into biofuel. The project would help keep the beaches clean and bring mutual benefits to both the citizens and the environment.

In the food sector, Cypriot farmed fish producer Levantina Fish Ltd. is looking to integrate marine renewable energy sources into its fish feeding platforms, which will provide low-carbon power for their daily needs.

Greek CRES has invited proposals for underwater monitoring systems around blue-energy devices

In Greece, the Center for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving (CRES) has invited proposals for deploying innovative systems to monitor underwater activities close to blue-energy devices. The systems could include optical, acoustic, chemical, or physical monitoring devices, or any other appropriate devices or sensors.

On the Greek island of Samos, original ideas are sought to enable the port city of Samos to be energy self-sufficient. Proposals should involve sustainability, innovation, as well as the prospect of creating new jobs.

Croatia’s Split-Dalmatia county is looking to re-train its shipbuilding and metals sector workforce for novel, innovative technologies and industrial niches, as part of efforts to offset the impact of its ongoing transition toward, predominantly, tourism.

Italy’s Gligio island, where the energy demand is currently covered by thermal power production, is working on the implementation of blue-energy systems in order to gain energy independence and reduce environmental impacts. The challenge in its invitation of proposals is to ensure a limited visual impact of blue-energy technologies.

Spain’s EnerOcean wants to reduce the visual impact of offshore wind turbines

Reducing the visual impact of offshore wind turbines is the goal of a project launched by Spanish marine energy engineering company EnerOcean. The aim is to improve the visibility of devices located in the sea so that they have a smaller visual impact and, in turn, have a better acceptance among the population.

Also in Spain, the region of Andalusia has issued a challenge aimed at developing the optimal governance model for the use of marine energy in the municipalities of the Andalusian coast.