COOSW: Transnational cooperation for development of a solution for saving energy and water in small near coast facilities using simple devices harnessing the ocean energy

COOSW is a transnational cooperation for the development of an energy and water saving solution for small near-shore installations using simple devices that harness the energy of the ocean. As a solution we propose the use of devices that use the temperature and waves of the sea for desalination and cooling. The proposed solution, called the COOSW solution, combines the use of three technologies. The use of the COOSW solution will reduce the impact of the deployment of global supply facilities on the landscape and biodiversity, and reduce the risk for weather events that are less vulnerable due to their smaller spatial extent, by increasing the autonomy of small installations. The final solution uses: (i) a WEC (wave energy converter) to pump colder seawater from deeper layers, (ii) cold seawater for cooling with SWAC (seawater air conditioning) technology and; (iii) the temperature gradient between the cooler pumped water and the water heated by SWAC for desalination using COOL STEAM technology, a low-temperature thermal desalination method that requires a temperature gradient for its application. Proofs of concept of the COOSW solution will be installed at PLOCAN on the island of Gran Canaria (Spain), and at facilities in Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. Another possibility we explored in the project is the use of WEC technologies to provide energy for de-aeration and pumping of warmer shallow waters in the COOL STEAM seawater evaporation process, using a floating pipe collector installation at the sea surface. The development of new technologies using seawater energy (heat, waves) reduces energy consumption for cooling or desalination, which means reducing the requirement for energy production and thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, this energy saving means water saving and less environmental impact.