Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
A New Secure Renewable Energy Source
For Defense and Commercial Applications
Pierre Cannon
Sumon Nandy
Amy Nandy
SEPT 14 , 2009
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Problem Statement
 World is looking for alternatives to oil
 Carbon gas emission reduction goals
 Renewable energy sources needed for sustained
security
 “Baseload” power is necessary to support existing
energy grids
 Land for development of power plants is limited
and may come at a premium
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OTEC Process
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Ocean Water Temperatures
Clean Baseload Renewable Energy
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Lockheed Martin - Sponsor
 Delivered first OTEC plant in 1979.
 “Mini-OTEC” at 50 kW was the first
and only successful ocean system
 Focus on providing secure energy to naval bases
 Currently designing a pilot plant
for testing in Hawaii
 Recently awarded naval facilities
contract to develop commercialization
plan for the technology
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Clean, Secure, Renewable Energy and Water Source
Electricity Generation
For Commercial GRIDS
OTEC can generate power
reducing dependence on
fossil fuels
Hawaii
Guam
Taiwan / India
Australia
Florida / Gulf States
Expanded
Energy Market
Expanded Mission:
Nation Building
OTEC can generate
power and water to assist
developing economies
(84 Nations)
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Fuel Production
Ammonia
Hydrogen
Synthetic Fuels
Summary
 OTEC is a large, new, clean, renewable energy source
 New Industry and New Jobs
 Path to commercialization requires
 Focused technology risk reduction
 Integrated demonstration at a megawatt scale
 Commercialization paves the way for large scale system
deployment to numerous areas around the globe
OTEC has ability to Transform Energy Market
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Proposed Project
 Complete Feasibility Study
 Work with sponsor to select preferred region
 Establish possible points for OTEC deployment
 Select 1 location for further, more detailed design and
development
 Value-Add to Sponsor
 Provide more in-depth analysis of selected region
 Possible locations for system deployment and analysis of
feasibility of these locations for commercialization
 Analysis of single location in-depth, including local
infrastructure and environmental conditions
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Proposed Scope
 Work with sponsor to narrow scope to one region:
 Proposed regions include: India, Africa, or Caribbean
 Team to complete an initial analysis of coastal areas
 Trade study to evaluate 2-4 off-coast locations to select
best location for concept development
 Trade study to incorporate ocean conditions; economic
needs; power interfaces, etc.
 Select one location for further design and
development
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Project Scope
 Concept design
 Requirement decomposition & allocation


Economic constraints / financing
Weather constraints
 Trade Studies
 Determine focus for system: Energy or Water?
 External Interfaces
 Power cabling / Water transport
 Local utility companies; Power needs
 Standards
 Environmental Regulations; Material Selection/Handling
 Develop supporting documentation
 Develop course deliverables
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