With energy demands escalating and environmental concerns looming, the need for innovative solutions is apparent. Enter the Global OTEC Dominique project, off the coast of São Tomé and Príncipe – a tiny island nation off the West coast of Africa. Contact online >>
With energy demands escalating and environmental concerns looming, the need for innovative solutions is apparent. Enter the Global OTEC Dominique project, off the coast of São Tomé and Príncipe – a tiny island nation off the West coast of Africa.
The isolation and limited land area on many islands obstruct the widespread implementation of traditional renewable energy sources like solar or wind. In addition, dependence on diesel harms the environment and is an economic burden for many island nations.
The Dominique project, powered by Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC),is a response to these challenges. It will use a 140-year-old technology to deliver sustainable energy to island nations.
In this article, we explore the historical roots of OTEC, and why this century-old concept is finding renewed relevance in the context of island nations. We also gain insights from Dan Grech, the Founder and CEO at Global OTEC.
Moreover, we examine the environmental and socio-economic impact of this innovative solution, with a specific focus on São Tomé and Príncipe—a nation on the cusp of embracing the promises of OTEC.
OTEC finds its roots in the pioneering ideas of French physicist Jacques Arsene d’Arsonval. In 1881, D’Arsonval envisioned achieving sustainable and continuous power by tapping into the vast thermal energy reservoirs of the world’s oceans.
Over the ensuing decades, OTEC saw further development as early designs and concepts paved the way for the emergence of operational OTEC systems. In the 1930s, the first OTEC patent was granted to Georges Claude, a pioneer in the field. However, in the latter half of the 20th century, significant strides were made in realizing the practical application of OTEC technology.
At its essence, OTEC operates by harnessing the temperature gradient between warm surface seawater (typically 25 to 28 degrees Celsius in tropical regions) and cold water from deeper ocean layers (around four degrees Celsius).
The warm water initiates the evaporation of a refrigerant-type fluid like ammonia. This expands, creating vapor to drive turbines and generate electricity. Cold deep-sea water is then used to condense the vapor back into a liquid, facilitating a continuous energy cycle.
This system can generate electricity reliably around the clock, and at a constant rate so that it is suitable for baseload usage. It can also easily be scaled up and down to account for changes in demand.
In the 1970s, significant research and development efforts were directed toward OTEC, spurred by the energy crisis. Experimental OTEC plants were constructed, showcasing the feasibility of the technology. Lockheed Martin’s involvement in the 21st century further propelled OTEC into the spotlight, with projects in Hawaii and China demonstrating a commitment to commercializing this sustainable energy solution.
“Although OTEC is not a new technology, it has been forgotten in the renewable energy mix over the years due to lack of investment, popularization of other sources, and limited application of OTEC in countries financing R&D advancements,” Grech told Interesting Engineering (IE).
The use of OTEC, however, is not without challenges. Technological hurdles such as dissolved gases, microbial fouling, and sealing issues have demanded innovative solutions. Ongoing hydrodynamic and biological modeling studies aim to refine the environmental impact assessment of OTEC systems, ensuring their sustainability.
In the pursuit of liberating islands from diesel dependence, the Dominique project by Global OTEC stands as a beacon of sustainable energy innovation. Grech was inspired by the urgent need for climate action and driven by a passion for island self-sufficiency, with a mission to reshape the energy landscape.
The Dominique project is not just about technology. Their target is Small Island Developing States (SIDS), countries with small land areas, geographical isolation, and vulnerability to external economic and environmental challenges, recognized by the UN for their unique development needs.
Driven by the mission to eliminate costly diesel generators, the Dominique project addresses challenges these islands face, such as reliance on fossil fuels, economic stress, and geopolitical vulnerabilities. Dominique tackles one of the big issues with OTEC — high capital expenditure — by siting the system on a floating barge, scaling down the platform size, using modular construction, and employing a steel hull for space efficiency.
To make the most of the available space and improve the project’s sustainability, Global OTEC chose to use a steel hull for the barge. Unlike a concrete barge or platform, which might have lower upfront costs, a steel hull allows ample room below deck for equipment and pipes.
“Our steel hull allows for under-deck refrigerant storage and a smaller form factor as the pipework can be routed under the deck while providing easy access. The floating platform will be a class 300 barge with the necessary alterations to operate an array of modular OTEC powerplants,” explained Grech.
The project, which it expects to begin commissioning in 2025, aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions, with a single OTEC platform capable of mitigating up to 12 thousand tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent annually.
“Achieving our target of 10 megawatts (MW) of installed capacity in São Tomé and Príncipe can avoid the greenhouse gas emissions from over 138 thousand burned barrels of oil during a single year,” said Grech.
The innovative use of a floating platform plays a pivotal role in the project’s success. Unlike traditional onshore OTEC plants that require laying extensive pipes for a long distance along the seabed, the Dominique project’s floating platform significantly reduces the length and cost of running the cold water pipes. This also streamlines the process, potentially saving energy and increasing efficiency.
“OTEC can help São Tomé and Príncipe access a continuous source of power, freeing the population from the constant blackouts caused by delays and failures in distribution, which also affect the country’s economy. Plus, importing fossil fuels stresses the country’s finances,” noted Grech.
The potential for job creation, economic growth, and expanded electricity would mean a lot for the nation of São Tomé and Príncipe. Global OTEC also actively engages with the local community through workshops and regular education sessions, ensuring transparency and involvement of the local community in shaping the future of their energy landscape.
Around the world, collaborative initiatives and research efforts are underway to explore and implement innovations in renewable energy to improve efficiency and drive down costs. Solar and wind projects, energy storage technologies, and innovations in grid management contribute to a comprehensive strategy for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Governments are increasingly recognizing the importance of transitioning to renewable energy. Small island nations, like São Tomé and Príncipe, are at the forefront of these efforts, partly because these nations will be some of the hardest hit by global warming. Their unique challenges and vulnerabilities have propelled them to seek innovative solutions.
This project is also part of a broader global effort towards greater use of sustainable and renewable energy, and alignment with the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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