Υδριάδα - Η πρότυπη πλωτή μονάδα αφαλάτωσης με ΑΠΕ στην Ηρακλειά
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0:09 - 0:14Hello, We have the honor today to host two members of the research team
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0:15 - 0:22in charge of designing and building a pilot prototype device for Saltwater Desalination
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0:23 - 0:26Nikitas Nikitakos is professor at the University of the Aegean
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0:26 - 0:31and Theodoros Lilas, electronic mechanician, also a professor at University of the Aegean.
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0:32 - 0:42I would like to thank you for being here and ask you about this prototype device for Saltwater Desalination called "Hydriada"
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0:43 - 0:50This device has drawn attention everywhere else in the world, yet in Greece is not known as should for what it does.
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0:54 - 0:55So, what exactly is "Hydriada" and how does it work?
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0:57 - 1:03Hydriada is a the result of e research program funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
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1:09 - 1:16It's a pontoon desalination platform which uses solar and wind energy
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1:17 - 1:27to convert seawater into drinkable water by a desalination plant using reverse osmosis.
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1:29 - 1:34As mentioned before, it was funded by ERDF and it is situated in Irakleia Island (Cyclades)
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1:34 - 1:43It works with wind and solar energy to produce its minimum energy requirements,
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1:44 - 1:51and produces the everyday drinkable water requirements of the Iraklea island.
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1:53 - 2:06It was a small scale prototype platform and it is mostly used for experimental and improvement reasons.
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2:07 - 2:15We intend to build a bigger desalination unit and produce 1000 tons of water per day
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2:15 - 2:21instead of 70 tons of water per day that the current unit produces.
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2:22 - 2:27We have positive feedback and grater expectations, but unfortunately
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2:27 - 2:33due to the latest events and the financial and economic crisis
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2:34 - 2:40we are experiencing delays in bureaucracy and procedural matters.
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2:42 - 2:48We hope to overcome these problems soon
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2:48 - 2:53and hopefully attract more interest from abroad.
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2:55 - 3:00Could you give us more information on this matter?
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3:00 - 3:05There has been interest from abroad from the presentation in European and global scale for this archetype unit.
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3:08 - 3:14Thank you for your invitation. This unit has attracted European and global interest.
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3:15 - 3:20It has been awarded as an innovation for regional european development.
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3:21 - 3:25It has been presented in many developed countries, such as Norway.
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3:25 - 3:30In events for pattern that could attract investment interest.
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3:30 - 3:37It has been presented in the USA in competitions for for business patterns and reached top classification.
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3:38 - 3:42This means that there are big chances to be developed abroad.
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3:43 - 3:49There has also been interest from countries having scarce in drinking water. Such as in North Africa and the Middle East,
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3:50 - 3:53where there have been presentation in collaboration with the ministry of foreign affairs.
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3:54 - 4:00So, these countries have shown great interest through their ministers for investment in this field.
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4:03 - 4:09We expect to make presentations and meetings in order to promote this technology abroad.
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4:10 - 4:15Which do you believe are there the main advantages of this technology in comparison
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4:16 - 4:23to other technologies used in Greece to fed our islands with water?
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4:24 - 4:30Meaning desalination process and carrying water in lorry tracks.
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4:32 - 4:39There are currently 3 feeding methods of clean water to these islands.
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4:41 - 4:45First: Carrying water with boats from other islands.
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4:46 - 4:53Meaning, when an islands is in need of clean water we carry it with boats to and from the islands,
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4:54 - 4:59and polluting the environments by using this method and burning fuels.
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5:00 - 5:06Second: The old fashioned desalination methods that have been done using electric power on the islands.
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5:06 - 5:11We should note that Desalination is a process requiring great amount of energy
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5:11 - 5:17and the islands have limited power and energy availability
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5:18 - 5:24So by using the existing energy supply on the island for desalination purposses
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5:24 - 5:29we may probably cause energy shortage on that island.
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5:33 - 5:38Energy shortage is the reasons for energy black outs during the summer in those islands.
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5:39 - 5:46There are also the method for producing energy by using fuels,
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5:46 - 5:51but this way we cause environmental pollution.
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5:52 - 5:55Third method is the one we use.
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5:56 - 6:01This is an autonomous unit which uses renewable energy sources
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6:03 - 6:08meaning that it doesn't produces any carbon dioxide and doesn't pollute the environment.
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6:09 - 6:12This way it produces its necessary energy for the desalination process.
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6:12 - 6:20In short, with this method we solve energy and water shortage problems for these islands.
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6:21 - 6:28Another great advantage is that it can be transferred from one place to another.
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6:29 - 6:37So, in case somewhere is needed, we can transfer it with a boat in any area.
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6:39 - 6:44There are also other significant advantages for the environment.
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6:45 - 6:54It's anchored somewhere with big depth, so in these depths there is no problem of making the water salter
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6:56 - 7:04by returning extra salty water from the desalination process.
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7:07 - 7:14It's a process like water evaporation and does not cause any environmental problems.
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7:14 - 7:17We do not use any chemical in this process.
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7:18 - 7:22So, by solving these problem we have a natural way of producing drinkable water,
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7:22 - 7:24which does not affect the environment.
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7:24 - 7:29Unlike other method narrow places which can cause many problems in that ecosystem.
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7:30 - 7:38We can say that the cost is low since it use free and renewable energy sources
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7:41 - 7:48Since it uses solar and wind produced energy and does not pollute the environment.
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7:51 - 7:58Which are the economic profits that could result from using this method?
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8:01 - 8:09First of all, in greek islands, electricity is subsidized by the government as it is very expensive for these areas.
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8:11 - 8:17With the new European Community legislation (ETS) electicity will get even more expensive.
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8:20 - 8:25So, the desalination method using electricity power will get even more expensive.
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8:27 - 8:33With our desalination method the only cost is the cost for building the unit, as it produces its own energy,
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8:34 - 8:37as solar and wind energy is for free.
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8:37 - 8:43And the only thing necessary is a small maintenance every 2 years
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8:45 - 8:48as well as a general maintenance every 10 years.
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8:48 - 8:52This unit life expectancy is up to 30 years.
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8:53 - 9:01As a result, this method is a sustainable investment and it gets even more with bigger units.
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9:04 - 9:08Which is what we are trying to do nowadays.
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9:08 - 9:15My next question is about the possibility to extend the dimensions and the size of this unit
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9:16 - 9:18in order to produce bigger quantities for bigger islands.
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9:18 - 9:22I can give you an example for what we are currently trying to do.
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9:22 - 9:25We would like to produce 1000m3 drinking water per day.
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9:26 - 9:30To create such a system we need either one unit on land
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9:31 - 9:34or one, like our autonomous unit, in the sea.
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9:35 - 9:40On the one hand, for the one on land there would be a cost of 1 million Euro to build it.
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9:40 - 9:45On the other hand, if we build a complete autonomous desalination unit which can produce its own energy
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9:45 - 9:49the cost be about 4,5 million.
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9:49 - 9:55For the maintenance the price would be the same for both units.
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9:57 - 10:05But for the island unit the power cost for would be 8 million euro for 10 years
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10:06 - 10:09while the cost for our autonomous unit will be 0!
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10:09 - 10:14So, instead of paying millions for paying fuels on producing energy,
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10:15 - 10:21we could eliminate it and pay a portion of that money to build units like the one we do
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10:22 - 10:27and give work to greek shipping yards and companies for building the necessary units.
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10:27 - 10:32Overall, instead of using fuels, we could use a far less expensive and ecological method.
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10:34 - 10:38Did you had ny obstructions when building this unit?
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10:38 - 10:40Let's say with bureaucracy etc...
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10:41 - 10:48The main obstacle was the nature of this unit itself, as it could not be set legally.
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10:49 - 10:54Because, in order to transfer the unit we should make papers for this kind of device.
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10:55 - 11:00That could not be covered by the existing maritime law.
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11:02 - 11:11We had some help from our colleague and we could justify it as pontoon.
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11:14 - 11:22Another problem was that we had to have a classification surveyor and to insure it.
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11:23 - 11:28And generally follow a procedure for something unprecedented
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11:28 - 11:33for the greek legislation and bureaucracy.
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11:35 - 11:42We successfully went through this procedure and created a sort of case law for this invention
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11:44 - 11:48and we estimate that this procedure will be much easier on our next unit of this kind.
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11:50 - 11:56Do you think that the current financial crisis and the situation we lately face in Greece
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11:56 - 12:02will affect negatively any future plans on extending and using these units
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12:04 - 12:06and the ones concerning green development.
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12:08 - 12:10Quite the opposite.
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12:11 - 12:15We have a high cost on using current units
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12:15 - 12:20so, by proposing and promoting innovative solutions we both offer jobs to people
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12:22 - 12:25and diminish the total cost of production.
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12:25 - 12:29Therefore, it's the current crisis that pushes us walk towards this direction.
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12:29 - 12:32I would like to add something.
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12:32 - 12:34The financial crisis is a result of globalization.
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12:35 - 12:41We and our entire team, through this experiment, support that we must turn to local communities
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12:47 - 12:52and try a new economic pattern which will be based on its own natural resources.
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12:53 - 13:00Hydriada is such an example. It sufficiently produces its own energy, water and anything needed.
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13:00 - 13:04"Ai Stratis" is another example in greater scale on an island.
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13:05 - 13:08In the USA is called "a Resource Based Economy".
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13:09 - 13:12An economy based on its own resources and supplies.
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13:13 - 13:17This is what we beliene in and promote as a part of a Green growth
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13:17 - 13:21Would you like to give us more details on the experiment of "Ai Stratis"?
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13:21 - 13:28This experiment is about a small Island of 300 residents, which is away from the greek power network.
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13:31 - 13:36We are trying to make 3 big interventions.
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13:37 - 13:401st: To make it power autonomous.
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13:41 - 13:47That is to use photovoltaic and wind turbines and use 100% renewable power sources.
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13:51 - 13:53This is our first target.
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13:55 - 14:022nd: To use the power produced for other purposes like geothermal and producing hydrogen
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14:04 - 14:10in order to use electric cars and completely remove fuel using on the Island.
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14:12 - 14:20To make greenhouse with photovoltaics and to process waste and water
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14:21 - 14:26in order to produce new plants growing greenhouses.
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14:27 - 14:33And the most important, build a power academy, in order to change the thinking of people
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14:34 - 14:37starting from the youngest
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14:37 - 14:44and shape and build the basis for a new economy and thinking of green growth.
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14:49 - 14:53What was the reaction of the locals during this experiment?
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14:53 - 14:58In Iraklea and Ai Stratis concerning the targets you've set.
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15:02 - 15:06The participation of the local community is very important.
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15:06 - 15:12Before we even start our projects we visited Islands and contacted the local boards
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15:13 - 15:17We presented our projects and they completely accepted them.
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15:18 - 15:24So before we started we had informed the people there and they accepted our projects.
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15:25 - 15:33We think that for Ai Stratis to be a green Island, it is very important to participate the residents in this direction.
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15:35 - 15:42The project will not be independent from the people but the will be aware of its boundaries and adjust their behavior
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15:45 - 15:50so that to best co-exist in an 100% autonomous environment.
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15:51 - 15:54And to be able to continuously work on renewable energy.
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15:55 - 15:59In Iraklea Island the project was accepted by the residents at first.
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15:59 - 16:02And then when some problems came up
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16:03 - 16:08all the residents got together and even gathered signs to back up
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16:10 - 16:16and wanted the project to also go on on other Islands as well.
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16:18 - 16:23Therefor, the residents supported us on the problems we faced.
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16:24 - 16:27You mentioned the creation of a power academy.
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16:28 - 16:31Should this be something concerning the entire Greece?
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16:32 - 16:37This is something mentioned in many local communities.
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16:41 - 16:46First of all, we estimate that the approaching of the renewable energy is wrong.
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16:48 - 16:52Renewable energy resources cannot be designed in an office and then setup.
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16:53 - 17:01The should start from talking with the residents and then they should go along together and establish them.
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17:03 - 17:09This is because often can come up many problems concerning the land and location.
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17:10 - 17:14This power academy should mostly concern young people and children
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17:16 - 17:20so that they start that human is not an financial figure
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17:21 - 17:27but, every time one takes an act on his financial life, they should consider mother nature.
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17:27 - 17:35Someone's activities should not oppose nature and the environment which cannot be recycled.
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17:35 - 17:40It is crucial to understand this, otherwise our planet will face problems in the future.
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17:42 - 17:45And this education starts from young children.
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17:46 - 17:49We think that the power academy on Ai Stratis should be the center
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17:50 - 17:55and on the other Islands should be connection to the academy and pass on the message that
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17:56 - 18:04when doing anything we should think of the environment and that it should be maintained and improved.
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18:09 - 18:16Nowadays though in Greece and the entire planet we see that economy profits from the environment
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18:16 - 18:22and the environment is suffocating, no matter what the intentions are.
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18:23 - 18:25Profit comes first everywhere.
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18:26 - 18:30These are the new economic movements
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18:30 - 18:34and they believe that the only thing that flows is money.
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18:34 - 18:41In reality, the environment is above all things and the corporate social responsibility.
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18:41 - 18:47In everything that we do we should think that everything should be on a stability ball.
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18:49 - 18:53We should not always take from the environment for financial purposes
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18:53 - 18:57but, always keep these variables in stability.
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18:58 - 19:02There is now a global movement of reconsideration on all modern financial theories.
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19:03 - 19:09I would like to inform you that in about a month a will publish a book which is a translation
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19:09 - 19:15and it is about true green economy, which I would gladly like to present it to you.
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19:16 - 19:18I would like to thank you both.
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19:18 - 19:19Thank you.
- Title:
- Υδριάδα - Η πρότυπη πλωτή μονάδα αφαλάτωσης με ΑΠΕ στην Ηρακλειά
- Description:
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Συνέντευξη των καθηγητών Νικήτα Νικητάκου και Θεόδωρου Λίλα στη ΜΚΟ Σόλων για την πρότυπη πλωτή μονάδα αφαλάτωσης "Υδριάδα"
Ο κ. Νικήτας Νικητάκος Καθηγητής Ηλεκτρονικής Ναυτιλιακής Τεχνολογίας στο Πανεπιστήμιο Αιγαίου και ο Θεόδωρος Λίλας, ηλεκτρολόγος μηχανικός, λέκτορας στο Πανεπιστήμιο Αιγαίου αποτελούν μέλη της ερευνητικής ομάδας που μελέτησε, σχεδίασε και δημιούργησε την πρότυπη πλωτή μονάδα αφαλάτωσης "Υδριάδα" στην Ηρακλειά των Κυκλάδων, η οποία χρησιμοποιεί ενέργεια εξολοκλήρου προερχόμενη από τον αέρα και τον ήλιο.http://www.solon.org.gr/index.php/2008-07-15-19-05-31/52-2008-07-15-14-18-38/2063-idriada.html
http://www.solon.org.gr/
- Video Language:
- Greek
- Duration:
- 19:29
vangjel.tasho edited English subtitles for Υδριάδα - Η πρότυπη πλωτή μονάδα αφαλάτωσης με ΑΠΕ στην Ηρακλειά |