OTEC Sea Water Systems Technology Status

Vega, L.; Nihous, G.; Lewis, L.; Resnick, A.; Van Ryzin, J.; ,

OTEC Sea Water Systems Technology Status

by L. Vega, Pacific Int Cent for High Technology, Research, United States,
G. Nihous, Pacific Int Cent for High Technology, Research, United States,
L. Lewis, Pacific Int Cent for High Technology, Research, United States,
A. Resnick, Pacific Int Cent for High Technology, Research, United States,
J. Van Ryzin, Pacific Int Cent for High Technology, Research, United States,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Ocean Energy Recovery

Abstract:

A workshop was conducted in April 1988 to provide an expert critique of the fabrication and deployment options for the seawater systems (all piping required to draw the seawater) of land-based Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plants. Conduits in a diameter range of 3 to 5 m were considered, and means to achieve significant cost reductions were discussed. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) capital cost investment goals established in 1985 for OTEC seawater systems were summarized as follows: the long-term goal of 1175 $/kW is required to make OTEC commercially competitive with power from mainland coal-fired plants; the interim or 5-year, cost goal of 2650 $/kW is required for OTEC is to be commercially competitive with power from island oil-fired plants. Design concepts and deployment techniques available were examined. It was concluded that the design and deployment of extruded polyethylene pipes less than 1.6 m diameter repreents the state-of-the-art (SOA); and, that the cost effectiveness of larger pipes has not been demonstrated.

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