Temperate fruit and vegetable crops have been grown successfully in Hawaii’s sub-tropical climate in conjunction with the OTEC technology by utilizing cold seawater to chill the soil. The combination of high solar insulation and cold roots has enhanced production and quality of many crops, including strawberries, grapes, asparagus, pears, gourds, alstroemeria flowers, and many others.
Agriculture utilizing the ColdAg process in conjunction with an integrated OTEC system can provide new and exciting industries to tropical island communities. Agricultural cash crops previously limited to commercial applications in the temporal zones of the globe can now be successfully, and profitably, grown in the tropical regions. This process also significantly reduces the irrigation needs of these crops as natural irrigation occurs at the root system through condensation of the humid, tropical air.