The 210 kW Open Cycle OTEC Experimental Apparatus: status report

The 210 kW Open Cycle Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OC-OTEC) Experimental Apparatus project has been categorized as successful because the construction was completed on schedule and within budget and net power and desalinated water are routinely produced. The operational phase reached a major milestone in June 1995 by completing 2300 hours of testing. The data demonstrate that the OTEC process is technically feasible for the production of base load electricity and desalinated water. Economic feasibility has been previously discussed. All subsystems, with the exception of the vacuum compressors for the removal of noncondensable gases, have met or surpassed the design requirements. Numerous officials from the public and private sectors have toured the facility and learned about the promising future that OTEC holds for Hawaii, the American Trust Territories and Pacific Island Nations. This article presents highlights of the knowledge acquired through the resolution of problems and observation of unexpected events and phenomena during design, construction, shakedown and operations