Océanos de Luz: The Sea as a Source of Light

What it does

Océanos de Luz generates energy through metal ionization in saltwater, inspired by the Wayúu beliefs from La Guajira. It creates technical and social impact by connecting nature and culture through technology, lighting communities, and honoring their identity.

Your inspiration

The idea emerged from the contrast between La Guajira’s natural richness and the energy poverty faced by Wayúu communities. As a team, we were inspired by the sea’s potential to offer not just power, but dignity. Our goal wasn’t to impose systems, but to create a solution shaped by Wayúu culture, art, and their deep bond with nature. We designed a clean energy system that flows like the ocean, non-invasive, collaborative, and rooted in local identity. Technology, for us, is not just a tool but a bridge, one that honors traditions, preserves heritage, and adapts to real human needs. A current of light, born from salt and story.

How it works

The device generates electricity through the movement of free electrons in seawater without altering its natural composition. This movement creates a difference in electric charge, producing energy that is stored in batteries. These batteries power lighting systems connected to homes in nearby communities. The system is designed for easy operation, requiring no specialized labor, allowing the community to manage battery replacement. The water used for the ionization process is automatically filled and replaced, minimizing human contact. Océanos de Luz is conceived as a technological tool in harmony with the environment and community life. It integrates organically into its surroundings through a design inspired by natural shapes, respecting the landscape while transforming oceanic energy into light. Its goal is to become a sustainable bridge between nature, technology, and cultural identity, empowering communities with autonomy and resilience.

Design process

The design of Océanos de Luz unfolded in three non-linear phases, grounded in functional, technical, cultural, and usability requirements. It began with conceptual development through sketching and research, guided by the idea of integrating technology into the natural and cultural environment. References included sacred geometry, kinetic sculptures by Anthony Howe, and Zaha Hadid’s fluid architecture. From this, the skeleton of a traditional fishing canoe was adopted as the structural base. A first flotation prototype was tested without a load. Paper and 3D-printed models helped validate form and buoyancy. Further exploration connected Wayúu dance "La Yonna" forms with oceanic shapes to inspire a more refined design with organic lines. Two energy prototypes were tested: one mechanical, using a propeller and helix to move a dynamo, and another electrochemical, using copper and magnesium in saltwater. The latter showed better performance. The final 3D model was updated to hold electrochemical cells. A functional prototype scaled down at 1:2 was built and tested for assembly, ergonomics, connectivity, usability, and floatability. The design remains open to future improvements through community feedback and environmental monitoring.

How it is different

Our design is unique because it bridges technology and culture, serving not just as a technical solution but as a connection between Wayúu identity and sustainability. Unlike other devices that generate energy, ours is rooted in critical design, addressing cultural and social change, allowing meaning to emerge through users’ interaction. It harnesses the salinity of seawater, a plentiful resource on the Caribbean coast, to produce electricity cleanly and safely, with minimal maintenance. To extend the metals’ life, its operation mimics a submarine, running in 12-hour cycles with automatic filling and emptying between periods. Its design ensures low environmental impact and high ease of use, with components that dissolve harmlessly into the sea. Our system fits Wayúu settlements, where commercial tech often fails. It’s more than energy, it’s a cultural, sustainable proposal honoring nature and identity.

Future plans

The next stages for our design involve refining materials to improve efficiency and lower costs, and developing training programs so the Wayúu community can operate and maintain the system. Once the design is complete and cost-effective, we aim to form alliances with private companies and local governments to scale production, distribution, and installation. We seek to provide clean, reliable energy for Wayúu settlements, empower local communities through accessible technology, and show how culture and nature can coexist. The project also aims to address resource inequality and challenge historical power imbalances affecting the Wayúu people.

Awards

Honourable Mention in recognition of the research project: Océanos de luz: The Sea as a Source of Light for Wayuu Communities" submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Industrial Designer at Universidad El Bosque | 2022