Abstract
The facilities of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority at
NELH and HOST Park at Keahole Point on the Big Island of Hawaii provide
academic, government and commercial tenants with opportunities to perform a
wide range of experiments with ocean water pumped ashore from the surface
and from depths of 600 m. The deep seawater has a cold temperature and a
unique chemistry which make it useful in a wide range of applications.
Current energy related projects include open-cycle OTEC, closed-cycle OTEC,
cold seawater air conditioning, distillation systems for freon and ethanol, and
freshwater production from humid air. A variety of aquaculture projects use
the cold temperature, high nutrient content and purity of the deep seawater to
culture many different plants and animals. Edible sea vegetables, spirulina
microalgae, salmon, lobsters, flounder, shrimp, tilapia, abalone and oysters
have all been cultured commercially at the facility. A tropical garden cooled by
cold seawater, has successfully produced more than 80 varieties of vegetables
and plants.