Diego Acevedo is a senior lecturer and researcher at the University of Aruba. His research is focused on the Valorization of Reverse Osmosis Brines, in essence looking at the economic value that the brine left over from the desalination process with a specific focus on the value for small islands dependent on desalination systems. Diego holds a BSc degree in Mechanical Engineering (magna cum laude) from the University of Florida and a MSc degree in Sustainable Energy Technologies from TU Delft (The Netherlands). He has previously worked on the development of innovative technological solutions related to marine energy, district cooling networks, potable water generation, and marine-based floating solar PV electricity generation. Some highlights of his work include being the founder of Eneda Engineering Services VBA, an Engineering Consultancy firm focused on Renewable Energy and Circular Economy with a special focus on Marine and Island solutions; and being co-founder of Bluerise BV, now part of Allseas Engineering BV, working on Ocean Thermal Energy Technology development.