Common Ground (and Waters)

This is a project proposal posted on another blog last year. One that proposed using a retired Navy Dive Salvage Barge currently berthed in Norfolk, Virginia. You can see it at - http://www.maritimesales.com/SGA10.htm
To effectively operate a learning environment on the Great Lakes for a larger group of people we would consider partnering with others such as is outlined in the following post-

Project proposal for collaboration between the Great Lakes Sea Cadets and SEND LLC

The purpose of this agreement is that to agree upon examination of the outline here to explore the pros and cons for development of a collaboration between our organizations. The reasons are listed as follows;

1.Both the Sea Cadet program and SEND are interested in the developmental value of marine based educational inquiry environments.

2.To create a project environment that will allow a cost effective means of offering a venue for focusing the STEM ITEST initiative grant to accomplish its objectives. SEND has a project proposal outline to establish a floating research and development vessel that has a specific focus on development of both onboard and remote systems that will capture the available natural energies in marine environments. The main categories of the project are development of an inquiry based educational system that has a focus on the following systems of energy conversion; wind and water turbines, solar energy (both photo voltaic and thermal), wave and tide, an analysis of stored energy in photosynthetic created marine biomass. (See the project outline below).

3. The Sea Cadet program has the demonstrated the ability to engineer and safely coordinate inquiry based projects in marine environments with young people. (See project outlines below)

4.We both endeavor to create an appreciation of shared common values. Learning and living in a marine environment, respect for life, education, pride with humility, love of America’s true core values,

Great Lakes Sea Cadet Programs

Drowned Forests Project (2003)

Remnants of an ancient forest inundated by rising waters in Lake Huron over 7,000 years ago are explored and found to be remarkably well preserved.

A documentary DVD and teacher's guide are available.

Freshwater Invaders Project (2002)

Foreign species of animals and plants introduced to the Great Lakes have transformed the ecosystem, mostly to the detriment of native inhabitants.

A documentary DVD and teacher's guide are available.

Island Ecology Project (1998)

Species of plants and reptiles isolated on Great Lakes islands for thousands of years were investigated.

The Norwood Project (2004)

Exploration of the lake bottom near a prehistoric mining site on Lake Michigan revealed an ancient land bridge and river channel exposed during a period of low water levels 8,000 - 10,000 years ago.

A documentary DVD and teacher's guide are available.

Funded in part by Michigan Coastal Management Program

Drowned coastlines of the prehistoric Great Lakes are being explored for sinkholes, underwater springs and other features

These shores were exposed during extreme low water

conditions some 10,000 years ago. In 2005 we explored one of these underwater sinkhole springs (click to view report & video)

A documentary DVD is available with your membership to the

Noble Odyssey Foundation.

Winner of three "Communicator Awards"!

Funded in part by Michigan Coastal Management Program.

Ancient Shores of the Great Lakes: The Huron Ridge (2007)Copyright 2006 NOF

All rights reserved

Last updated January 1

Great Lakes, Ancient Shores - SINKHOLES (2006)

Sustainable ENergy Delivery marine project outline

Sustainable Energy Deliver L.L.C. (SEND)
455 Kearsley Creek Court
Ortonville, Michigan 48462
Phone 248-245-7114
Fax 248-627-9501
renewablesjim@gmail.com

Letter of Understanding for development of the Great Lakes Flagship for Research and
Development of Renewable Energy Technologies

What
The intent of this LOU is to lead into development of a working business plan to purchase and retrofit a marine vessel to use as a flagship for the development of systems that will transform natural energies including solar, wind, water and agricultural located in marine environments into mechanical, electrical and chemical energy. The vessels systems will also be powered by bio-fuels derived from land based systems as needed.

This project will further the cause of research and development of these natural energies by showing how to transform them into chemical storage forms of energy that can be safely and efficiently manufactured and stored to be utilized at a later date. As part of this project we intend to purchase a non propelled marine vessel and equip it with the most advanced propulsion system available to be powered by these energies.

The initial focus of this project is centered on the waters that are part of the Great Lakes watersheds and their environs. However it is the intent to move into research and development projects using this and or other vessels in salt water and other environs globally.

SEND as the project manager is seeking to form agreements with for and non-profit entities that have education and/or sustainable project development as the core focus of their charters. We are also seeking partnerships with scientific organizations focused on research in marine environments.

Some of the highlighted benefits and intentions of this project are;

· We intend to offer this vessel as platform for partnering with other corporate, governmental and educational entities for the advancement of science and technology based inquiries.
· To establish this as a learning environment by inviting students and educational institutions that meet our criteria to participate as intern and co-developers We are investigating the use of this project as a part of the focus of a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) initiative that will be using a National Science Foundation Grant to create real world learning environments.
· As an objective incubator of innovation this project will help to foster creation of new commercial markets. By identifying and proving out these technologies this project can and will help to revitalize the long dormant residual talents of an economy that was based on and around the Great Lakes. There is also a well trained assortment of skilled workers and engineering talent here along with some of the needed manufacturing capability that could be employed in this endeavor.

Why
There is a growing mandate to develop carbon neutral and carbon sequestering energy systems. Marine based wind and water or hydro turbines on marine vessels are not held to the constraints that stationary turbines are in terms of visual and environmental impact. The need is great for machines that could operate on the worlds waterways with the ability to not only generate electricity but to also use that energy for value added end uses such as being able to electrolyze both fresh and salt water to derive potable water, hydrogen and a vast array of minerals.

Also to utilize captured mechanical energy for compressive manufacture of other natural energies such as Nitrogen. If developed for use in a salt water environment then one of the many uses could be for the manufacture and installation of artificial reefs which use low levels of current to exponentially grow new coral reefs. There is also the potential to utilize the technology created and used here to address pollution and invasive species problems in the worlds waterways.

Who
This project will be managed by the firm of Sustainable ENergy Delivery L.L.C.(SEND). The following entities have expressed a keen interest for collaborative co-development on this project. They are;
· 21st Century Digital Learning Environments

Others under consideration for seeking a partnership with are;
· Recipient institutions of the NSF grants to realize the STEM initiative.
· National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/ Great Lakes Environmental and Reasearch Laboratories
· University of Iceland- already advanced in the hydrogen economy and applications for conversions of marine propulsion from fossil fuels to hydrogen.
· University of Denmark- Already working on development of a hydrogen storage ”pill”
· Identify and pursue other entities that wish to prove out their designs for both marine stationary powered and generating equipment in a marine environment. To be clear, this would include systems that produce and consume renewably derived energies.

Where
This project is proposed to be able to operate on a mobile basis any where on a navigable waterway. Although initially we propose to design and install equipment that is adapted to fresh water environments. As resources are developed we will move rapidly into salt water applications.

Although not held to using this vessel, the Flagship vessel under consideration is a retired military dive salvage
barge currently berthed in Norfolk, Va.

Some of those under consideration are;

It is a 260 foot long vessel that is currently insured and has been maintained in good condition.
There is ample accommodation space for crew and equipment to prove out these technologies. It is especially designed for marine dive and salvage operations and has enough deck hatch space for conversion for both a helicopter pad and to house a proposed Vertical axis wind turbine.

We will have the vessel towed into the great Lakes to a location yet to be determined.

Please see the vessel under consideration by going to / .When at the site in the left margin click on #11 barges for sale. When on the barge page, click on the fourth item down SGA10. There are 6 pages of photos to see click on all of them to peruse the vessel.

When
The timeline for development of this project is projected as follows;

1.) To conduct an initial feasibility study which will entail; due diligence, legal structure and agreements, office and research personnel, computer aided design equipment and travel expenses.
Duration……………………………………………………………………………….9 months
Estimated Cost……………………………………………………………………...$1, 500,000
2.) Purchase the vessel and have it moved into the Great Lakes waters. Once here it will need some refurbishing, painting and outfitting it to be readied for conversion to a research vessel.
Duration……………………………………………………………………………….12 months
Estimated Cost……………………………………………………………………...$2, 500,000
3.) Purchase equipment necessary to outfit vessel for it stated missions. Install and test out systems for safety and effectiveness. Undergo Sea Trials and Maiden Voyage.
Duration……………………………………………………………………………….12 months
Estimated Cost……………………………………………………………………...$5,000,000


The nature of this project is such that it should qualify for a multitude of private and government grants.
As part of the funding for this initial project we will actively seeking investment from interested parties including but not limited to manufacturing, educational and scientific entities that wish to invest with us to prove out their technologies such as hydrogen powered propulsion units and any other equipment or studies that are deemed to fit into our mission as determined by the board of directors.

In summation this will lead to commercialization of these technologies in further spinoff projects that will be brought online initially under the design and management of SEND LLC. Once these projects are in full operation, SEND will then exercise its options to either maintain control or sell off its interest in whole or part to qualified entities.

Note; This document was written before consideration of this collaborative agreement between The Sea Cadets and SEND and obviously has plenty of latitude for change. (JWB)