From January 22 to 24, 2024, Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla, Colombia, hosted the third edition of the Pan-American Marine Energy Conference (PAMEC 2024). This biennial event brought together researchers, government officials, and industry representatives to discuss and promote the use of marine energies in Colombia and throughout the Americas.

With the participation of more than 75 delegates from countries such as Aruba, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and the United States, among others, PAMEC 2024 stood out for its focus on international collaboration. Attendees discussed a variety of topics relevant to the development of marine energies, including socioeconomic effects, resource characterization, grid integration, and specific technologies such as wave energy, saline gradient energy, and Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC).

Is the use of Marine Energy in Colombia Possible?

The use of marine energy in Colombia was one of the central themes of the event. Several projects and studies aimed at harnessing the vast potential of Colombia’s coastlines were highlighted during the conference. One example is the first saline gradient energy pilot project in Latin America, led by Universidad del Norte, which is planned to be implemented in the Magdalena River.

Aymer Maturana, a civil engineering professor and one of the event coordinators, emphasized the importance of integrating the commercial sector with academic research so that the knowledge generated at the conference can be used for the benefit of society. “We want this knowledge to be widely utilized for the benefit of the country, and for governments to be involved in promoting these technologies,” Maturana stated.

Activities and Collaborations

In addition to plenary sessions and research presentations, PAMEC 2024 included pre-conference workshops, a gala dinner, and cultural and networking activities. Participants toured the Magdalena River to learn about its issues and potential for energy development.

Oscar Álvarez, a professor in the Department of Physics and Geosciences and an event coordinator, highlighted that PAMEC 2024 is part of Universidad del Norte’s strategies for internationalization. “We are bringing to our students and professors the future visions of renewable energies from various countries around the world, which broadens our perspective and strengthens our innovation capacity,” Álvarez explained.

CEMarin at PAMEC 2024

PAMEC 2024 has been a significant step towards promoting the use of marine energies in Colombia, providing a platform for knowledge exchange and the formation of strategic alliances. The conference underscored the importance of renewable energies for sustainable development and the crucial role that Colombia can play in this area. Additionally, CEMarin reaffirmed its commitment to highlighting new initiatives for the use of marine energies. Together with TRAJECTS, six scholarships were awarded to young students from our member institutions, allowing them to attend and present their papers at the conference, where they shared their reports on their experiences during the event.