OTEC-AN EMERGING PROGRAM OF SIGNIFICANCE TO THE MARINE COMMUNITY

The U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration has established an objective to conduct a commercial demonstration of the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) concept in 1984. Lockheed has been a major contributor in this field since 1974. This paper discusses the ERDA program plan leading to the demonstration, some commercialization considerations, and two of the major steps in the plan--OTEC-1 and OTEC-100. Also discussed are cycle efficiencies and several key marine technology issues. These include biofouling and its potential impact on heat exchanger performance, the cold water pipe--OTEC's major ocean structure--and the heavy marine construction aspects of an OTEC plant.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Third Annual Combined Conference, Oceans '77, held October 17-19, 1977, Los Angeles.
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

  3 Park Avenue, 17th Floor
  New York, NY  United States  10016-5997

  Marine Technology Society

  5565 Sterrett Place, Suite 108
  Columbia, MD  United States  21044
• Authors:
  • Rudiger Jr, C E
  • Smith, L O
• Publication Date: 1977

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 7 p.
• Serial:
  • Volume: 2

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Antifouling coatings; Economic efficiency; Electric power plants; Energy conversion; Heat exchangers; Oceans; Offshore power plants; Structural design; Testing; Thermal power generation
• Old TRIS Terms: Power plant design; Power plant efficiency; Power plant testing
• Subject Areas: Economics; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00173295
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
• Report/Paper Numbers: 77CH1272-4 OEC Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 26 1978 12:00AM