Seawater Air Conditioning

In Honolulu, they are now planning to air condition buildings by using cold, 45 degree water from 1,600 feet deep in ocean.

Honolulu to Air Condition Buildings with Seawater

The system will pump cool water, about 45° F, from 1,600 feet below the ocean waves. The water will travel through the pump system to an onshore station where it will cool fresh water that circulates in a closed loop through customers’ buildings in downtown Honolulu. Once the cold seawater has done its job, it is pumped back into the ocean at a shallower level, going through a diffuser to ensure proper mixing and dilution to the surrounding sea.

Of course it will take some electricity to run the pumps and various other mechanisms, but it will still be alot more efficient.

Apparently this type of air conditioning has been around for a while, although I've never heard of it before.

This article is from September 12, 2006.

Renewable Energy System Uses Seawater to Cool Buildings

SWAC uses water from the ocean depths as a coolant for air conditioning in buildings. With this system it is possible to save up to 20 to 50 percent of current energy costs for cooling -- a savings equivalent to Euro 1-2 million [US$1.27 million to $US2.5 million]) per year.

And here's some info from a company that builds the systems.

SWAC (SeaWater Air-conditioning) - evelop

SeaWater Air-Conditioning

Anywhere around the globe where deep ocean seawater is available (about 700 m deep) and where the slope of the ocean floor is sufficiently steep, the SWAC system can be applied. In moderate climates air-conditioning can also be delivered from thermally stratified lakes with a depth of over 20 meters. For higher water intake temperatures hybrid systems can be used. Click here for more details on the system.

According to the info above, it sounds like it wouldn't work here in Florida. What a shame, it sure could have helped with some of the electric bills here.

Advantages for you:

* Up to 90% less electricity consumption for cooling
* Low operational costs
* Practically invisible and noiseless
* High reliability and quality of cooling supply
* 100% reduction of freon usage
* Contribution to a sustainable environment

I'm surprised this hasn't caught on or gotten more attention! It sounds like a great idea!

Pretty cool idea! Get it, "cool".

Oh, I know, that was bad.

[edit on 7/12/2008 by Keyhole]