Many great moments in history often happen because one fearless individual dares to step forward and do the unimaginable. They persevere even when others find a reason not to. Their seemingly superior, individualistic DNA that somehow combines courage, motivation and determination where others fall by the wayside.
And yet, being a pioneer can be lonely, particularly in the burgeoning world of clean energy, where ideas are plentiful but real action is often sparse.
In a world where humans have accomplished so much, being “first” at anything can be elusive and even esoteric. During his lifetime, OceanBased Perpetual Energy CEO Nasser M.N. Alshemaimry has achieved the unimaginable. As a commercial airline pilot, he’s saved not one, but three planeloads of people from doom. He’s been a fighter pilot. An award-winning entrepreneur. A presidential Points of Light recipient. A patent holder. His list of accomplishments is endless.
But in a singular moment nearly a year ago to today, on May 20, 2020, Alshemaimry was finally first. And not just a small first. An earth-changing first.
With the OceanBased crew gathered around him in that breathless moment some 30 miles off the coast of southeast Florida, Alshemaimry proved to the world that the mysterious and perpetual current of the Atlantic Ocean Gulf Stream could be harnessed for a full 24 hours to produce real, baseload-capable electricity with no need for energy storage or supplementation with fossil fuel.
To those in the marine energy field, it was an astounding, historical, worldwide and glorious moment.
Back at the dock the next day, the world continued, mostly unaware that history had just been made.
The following week, when Alshemaimry arrived at the Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center (SNMREC) for a debriefing, he was regaled by researchers and marine energy scientists, whose years of work had provided the basis for his successful mission.
Sincere and humble in his accomplishment, Alshemaimry was caught by surprise when SNMREC Chief Engineer Bill Baxley pulled him aside and presented him with a heartfelt commemorative award (pictured) modeled on the very same turbine OceanBased will use in its commercialization of Gulf Stream ocean current energy.
“I am so gratified Bill took the time to commemorate that incredible moment for me,” Alshemaimry said. “Here in my home, it serves as a daily reminder to me and especially my family that any dream is possible.”
The award inscription reads: “In Honor of Extracting Renewable Energy During May 2020 from The Gulf Stream Current in The Atlantic Ocean East of Florida for the First time in History Anywhere in The World.”
And to those visitors who inquire about his award, Alshemaimry gives a copy of this famous verse:
To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go
To right the un-rightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star
This is my quest,
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless,
No matter how far.
To fight for the right
Without question or pause,
To be willing to march
Into hell for a heavenly cause.
And I know if I’ll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I’m laid to my rest
And the world will be better for this
And one man, sore and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To fight the unbeatable foe
To reach the unreachable star
