Design and Construction of an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Test Plant

Mini-OTEC, shown in Fig. 1, is the first at-sea, closed-loop Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system using surface and deep seawater to generate electric power. The Mini-OTEC cycle is installed on a moored barge incorporating the cold water pipe (CWP) in the single anchor leg. The design seawater temperature difference (ΔT) of 36°F provides thermal resource for a gross power output of 50 kW. This paper presents an overview of the Mini-OTEC project, including a description of the power plant, control system, instrumentation, and CWP mooring system.