The Port Authority inaugurated the Blue Innovation Center of Granadilla (CIAG), installation with which it aims “for the Port of Granadilla to become a benchmark in the research and development of prototypes linked to the Blue Economy”, summarized its president, Pedro Suárez, at the presentation event. He highlighted that, “although the blue economy means renewable generation, floating wind or floating photovoltaics, the truth is that there are countless devices and technologies that have a place in this trend to obtain the maximum resources from the sea, in a way sustainable”.
Along these lines, the inauguration of the CIAG -in whose development Puertos de Tenerife has the collaboration of the University of La Lagunathrough the Blue Economy Chair (created to promote training, dissemination and carrying out research studies for socioeconomic development based on sea resources), and the entity Virtual and Modular Ecosystems – hosted the presentation of the project, specifically the design of an ekranoplane or flying boatwhich has for its development a consortium of national partners (Polytechnic University of Madrid) and international partners from Finland, Estonia and Portugal.
The erkoplanes under study will be used to transport people and goods between islands
Ekranoplanes inherit all the advantages of conventional air transport, but with the added bonus of being more energy efficient and environmentally friendly, both from the point of view of carbon footprint and noise pollution. In this case, It is proposed for the transport of people and goods between islands, lowering the cost of this operation. The project has European funding through the Horizon Europe program.
For Isabel Lion, vice-rector of the University of La Laguna, this is a research area of priority interest for our University, not only from an economic and business point of view, but also as a way to attract scientific and innovative talent for the benefit of our society. She defined the inauguration of the CIAG as “good news” and defended that “this collaboration in the field of the blue economy is a priority and fundamental for the ULL.” At the same time, he highlighted the presence of the University “as a link in the common mission of embracing innovation and research strategies and projects not only in the field of economy and business, but with a view to protecting the natural environment, the ocean and the Coast zones”. Her priority includes “the commitment to attracting scientific and research talent and its immediate application for the benefit of society.”
“We want the Port of Granadilla to be a great service station in the Atlantic where ships come to refuel with our energy to continue sailing around the world”
For his part, José Joaquín Hernández, director of the Oceanic Platform of Canary Islands (Plocan), highlighted that it is not only important to opt for the available international financing, but also to “position ourselves in different business areas by training professionals.” Furthermore, he was “excited” about this new wave of knowledge in robotics and energy transition and, above all, because it is happening “here, in this new Innovation Center.”
The activity that will be carried out at the Granadilla Blue Innovation Center will cover “an enormous field of action.” The launch of this complex “will give a boost to the Port of Granadilla, in the direction of converting it into an energy hub for clean energy.” That is, hydrogen, liquefied natural gas and less polluting petroleum derivatives. “We want this place to be a large service station in the Atlantic where ships come to refuel with our energy to continue sailing around the world,” said Pedro Suárez, who maintained that “our partners will develop technology that will be applied here.” .
The erkoplanes of Airship They have already reached their second version, which will be tested at the Blue Innovation Center of Granadilla (CIAG), although the consortium hopes to conclude the phase prior to its execution no earlier than 2025. From there the development and testing process would begin. before marketing.
