The University of the South Pacific (USP) is set to launch a pioneering pilot green campus in Fiji, focusing on harnessing ocean thermal energy alongside renewable resources. This initiative comes in response to the escalating demand for air conditioning and cooling solutions due to rising global temperatures, underscoring the urgent need to shift towards sustainable energy sources.
Funded by the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO), the project will see collaboration with various national entities, regional organizations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). As highlighted by project coordinator and USP academic, Professor M Rafiuddin Ahmed, the initiative addresses the pressing issue of energy consumption from traditional air conditioning systems, which are particularly inefficient in the Pacific’s tropical climate.
The first phase of the project involves establishing a Sustainable Seawater Utilisation Academy in Suva. Here, capacity-building programs are planned to train young graduates in Engineering and Science on sustainable practices related to seawater for energy, water, and food security. Additionally, there will be a thorough survey assessing the local demand for energy, water, and food, specifically aimed at the USP Laucala campus.
In its final phase, the project aims to implement a seawater-based cooling system that will serve an entire marine building at USP’s Lower Campus. The anticipated benefits of this approach include significant reductions in electricity use for cooling and decreased carbon emissions, with seawater air conditioning being a more environmentally friendly alternative.
A notable aspect of the project is its commitment to educating regional undergraduate and postgraduate students, empowering them to replicate similar sustainable initiatives in their own countries. This endeavor represents a hopeful step towards achieving energy efficiency and sustainability for future generations in the Pacific region.
In summary, the USP’s venture into a green campus utilizing ocean thermal energy not only aims to reduce environmental impact but also fosters education and empowerment among young professionals in the region.
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