A significant milestone has been achieved in the advancement of storm-resistant ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) technology, with a prototype currently being constructed at the Hidramar Shipyard in Gran Canaria, Spain. This prototype, a collaborative effort involving seven European partners, aims to endure severe weather conditions and provide renewable energy to small island developing states.
The construction of the prototype, initiated in March, is being executed by PLOTEC, a European consortium funded by the EU and comprised of seven companies from across the region. These companies include Global OTEC and Cleantech Engineering Limited from the UK, WavEC Offshore Renewables from Portugal, The Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN) from Spain, Quality Culture from Italy, and Agru Kunststofftechnik Gesellschaft m.b.H. from Austria, as well as the University of Plymouth School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics from the UK.
Substantial progress has been made at the shipyard, marked by the completion of the initial level of the platform involving the precise cutting and welding of over 660 steel plates. According to Sam Johnston, Global OTEC’s lead Engineer, this phase has been particularly demanding due to the intricate keel structure and the meticulous welding required to maintain structural integrity and prevent warping.
With the completion of the keel plate, the project is now poised to advance, as the assembly of the cylindrical shells onto the keel is set to commence. The ultimate aim of the project is to develop OTEC technology capable of withstanding tropical storms, hurricanes, and cyclones, which will be crucial for adopting renewable energy in small island developing states vulnerable to extreme weather conditions.
The prototype, known as PLOTEC 1:5, is scheduled to undergo testing at the Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN), located approximately three kilometers offshore. It will be exposed to the harsh conditions of the Atlantic Ocean to analyze its resilience, materials, and design. The project aims to make OTEC more feasible for tropical islands prone to storms and contribute critical insights to marine engineering, materials innovation, computational modeling, and the design of offshore floating energy and marine devices.
The funding for this pioneering project was awarded by Horizon Europe and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), with a grant of €3.5 million in December 2022. This support reflects the project’s significant potential to revolutionize renewable energy in vulnerable regions, and its positive impact on the future of sustainable development.