Optimization of Iceberg Towing Velocity for Water Supply

Lefrançois, Simon; Doyon-Poulin, Philippe; Gosselin, Louis; Lacroix, Marcel

doi:10.1139/tcsme-2008-0036

Cited by 4 publications

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“…From an economic perspective, this iceberg would have a value of US$ 19.6 million – US$ 114.4 million, if compared to the costs of using desalination (US$ 0.49–2.86 per m 3 ; 21 ) to produce the same amount of water. This estimate does not, however, account for expenses associated with operating and maintaining the towing vessel(s) and, indeed, the final costs of performing an entire tow are particularly challenging to determine as they depend on the precise vessel(s) selected for the tow, cost of fuel, the actual route followed, and crew salaries 5 , 8 . While determining such numbers is beyond the scope of this research, the subject of economic viability will be addressed in forthcoming work.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The idea of towing icebergs long distances to arid regions to help alleviate drought has a flamboyant history stretching back more than 200 years and is a topic that often draws the attention of the mainstream media 1 – 4 . There has also been an increasing number of scientific publications authored on this topic in recent years 5 – 8 . From what has already been written it appears that at the turn of the nineteenth century small icebergs were towed from Laguna San Rafael (~ 45°S) to Valparaiso, Chile (~ 33° S), and Callao, Peru (~ 12°S) for refrigeration.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Towing icebergs to arid regions to reduce water scarcity

Condron

2023

Sci Rep

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Expanding agriculture, rising global population, and shifts in climate are placing increasing demands on existing water resources, especially in regions currently experiencing extreme drought. Finding new and reliable water sources is an urgent challenge. A long-held idea is that icebergs could be towed to arid coastal regions and harvested to help alleviate water stress. Here, a numerical model is used to simulate the deterioration of icebergs towed to Cape Town, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Moved at a speed of 0.5 m/s, an iceberg able to reach Cape Town must be at least ~ 300 m long and ~ 200 m thick at its time of capture. An iceberg this size would only require ~ 1 to 2 vessels to move and would deliver ~ 2.4 million liters of water. Placing an insulating material around the same iceberg to inhibit wave-induced erosion results in 4.5 billion liters of deliverable water. To reach the UAE, an unprotected iceberg needs to be at least ~ 2000 m long and 600 m thick, or 1250 m long and 600 m thick if insulated from wave-induced erosion. Icebergs of these dimensions would require ~ 10 to 20 vessels to move. Results are discussed in terms of the size and number of icebergs needed to help alleviate drought. In theory, small icebergs can easily be moved to South Africa; the challenge is likely to be harvesting the water as icebergs left offshore in a subtropical environment melt after a few days to weeks.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towing icebergs to arid regions to reduce water scarcity

Condron

2023

Sci Rep

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Unconventional water resources: Global opportunities and challenges

Karimidastenaei

Avellán

Sadegh

et al. 2022

Science of The Total Environment

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Economic Valuation of Nature’s Contributions in the Antarctic: Extension of the Nature’s Contributions to People Conceptual Framework

Pu,

Yan

2024

Land

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The Antarctic region harbors abundant natural resources that constitute a common heritage site for humankind. However, given climate change and global resource scarcity, natural resource management has emerged as a pivotal issue in Antarctic governance. Assessing the value of natural resources is fundamental and crucial for ensuring their sustainable utilization and conservation. This study attempted to promote decision-makers’ understanding of the Antarctic using nature’s contribution to people (NCP) and provide an evaluation of the value of natural resources in the Antarctic, thereby contributing to sustainable global development. It developed a conceptual framework for evaluating natural resource values in the NCP, which includes scope delimitation, type identification, and value assessment. Economic value assessments were conducted for key NCPs in Antarctica. Based on existing biological, physical, and economic data, our initial estimates indicate that the economic value of the realized NCP is approximately 2.46 trillion CNY, with regulating NCP accounting for roughly 70% of the total value. If the potential NCP in the Antarctic were realized at foreseeable scientific and technological levels, the total economic value would reach approximately 105.62 trillion CNY. Regulating NCP accounted for most of the total value, but material NCP accounted for more than 20%. Overall, the development of natural resources and environmental protection are two sides of the same coin in the Antarctic, and there may be trade-offs between different NCPs. With increasing human activity, many NCP may be lost in the Antarctic region. This study develops a new perspective on the valuation of nature’s contributions to the Antarctic. The evaluation results can provide scientific evidence for decision-making and management of the development and utilization of natural resources in the Antarctic.

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Optimization of Iceberg Towing Velocity for Water Supply

Cited by 4 publications

References 0 publications

Towing icebergs to arid regions to reduce water scarcity

Towing icebergs to arid regions to reduce water scarcity

Unconventional water resources: Global opportunities and challenges

Economic Valuation of Nature’s Contributions in the Antarctic: Extension of the Nature’s Contributions to People Conceptual Framework

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