Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PLOTEC (PLOCAN Tested Optimised Floating Ocean Thermal Eenergy Conversion Platform)
Berichtszeitraum: 2022-11-01 bis 2024-01-31
PLOTEC brings together OTEC experts (Global OTEC Resources, abbreviated to GOR in this proposal), offshore Renewables experts (WAVEC), research infrastructure or a real environment marine test site (PLOCAN), marine engineers (GOR, CTECH and Plymouth University), plastics engineers and renewable materials experts (AGRU), Academic experts of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics (Plymouth University), and EU project management expert (Quality Culture). The challenge of this project is in designing the ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) system and materials to survive extreme environmental conditions due to its intrinsic characteristics (e.g. long pipe to sea depths), the high tension forces that the riser pipe, and joints must support, as well as the corrosion and sea movement needed). The Knowledge created by this project in marine engineering design and novel materials, as well as the computational modelling will not only improve the accessibility of OTEC solutions but improve the design and materials available to other offshore floating energy and marine devices, reinforcing the transfer of knowledge acquired in the project to other ambitious renewable energy and low carbon activities.
The overall objective for the project is to design, model and install a successful demonstration of a novel cylindrical ocean thermal energy conversion OTEC platform capable of withstanding the extreme weather effects of tropical oceans, with an economically viable cost model. This project will demonstrate European leadership in sustainable, and competitive energy solutions, through the novel utilisation of materials, new designs for OTEC, and advanced modelling technologies demonstrating efficiency gains through a drop in Levelised Cost Of Energy (LCOE) to below market rate diesel costs.
Key developments of the project are:
The overall objective for the project is to design, model and install a successful demonstration of a novel cylindrical ocean thermal energy conversion OTEC platform capable of withstanding the extreme weather effects of tropical oceans, with an economically viable cost model. This project will demonstrate European leadership in sustainable, and competitive energy solutions, through the novel utilisation of materials, new designs for OTEC, and advanced modelling technologies demonstrating efficiency gains through a drop in Levelised Cost Of Energy (LCOE) to below market rate diesel costs.
Key developments of the project are:
Here is a summary of the main activities carried out and results achieved in the PLOTEC project during the first reporting period, focusing on the technical and scientific aspects:
In Work Package 1, the consortium successfully developed the technical specifications and design of the cylindrical floating platform for the OTEC plant, including the hull, mooring system and gimbal attachment for the cold water pipe (CWP)[1]. Computational models were developed to analyze the design, materials and optimize the system[1].
In Work Package 2, the most appropriate materials were identified and analyzed to create robust components suitable for the marine environment, in particular PE100-RC polyethylene for the CWP[1]. The material data was integrated into the computational models of WP1[3].
In Work Package 3, a small-scale version of the cylindrical floating platform, CWP and gimbal was constructed for offshore installation and testing[3]. Standard components for the mooring system were procured[3]. The offshore installation and testing of the platform and key components was successfully completed[3].
In Work Package 4, an in-depth literature review was conducted to understand the economic aspects of OTEC projects, identifying the main indicators used such as LCOE, NPV and cost-benefit analysis[2]. Gaps were identified in prevailing assumptions and constraints in the financial framework due to the low TRL of OTEC technology and the context of small islands[2].
In summary, the activities carried out have allowed to successfully design, build and test a scaled prototype of the OTEC platform, analyzing its technical, material and economic aspects. This lays a solid foundation for the next phases of project development.
In Work Package 1, the consortium successfully developed the technical specifications and design of the cylindrical floating platform for the OTEC plant, including the hull, mooring system and gimbal attachment for the cold water pipe (CWP)[1]. Computational models were developed to analyze the design, materials and optimize the system[1].
In Work Package 2, the most appropriate materials were identified and analyzed to create robust components suitable for the marine environment, in particular PE100-RC polyethylene for the CWP[1]. The material data was integrated into the computational models of WP1[3].
In Work Package 3, a small-scale version of the cylindrical floating platform, CWP and gimbal was constructed for offshore installation and testing[3]. Standard components for the mooring system were procured[3]. The offshore installation and testing of the platform and key components was successfully completed[3].
In Work Package 4, an in-depth literature review was conducted to understand the economic aspects of OTEC projects, identifying the main indicators used such as LCOE, NPV and cost-benefit analysis[2]. Gaps were identified in prevailing assumptions and constraints in the financial framework due to the low TRL of OTEC technology and the context of small islands[2].
In summary, the activities carried out have allowed to successfully design, build and test a scaled prototype of the OTEC platform, analyzing its technical, material and economic aspects. This lays a solid foundation for the next phases of project development.
PLOTEC has the ambition to have a high impact, which is why it includes activities that will help it contribute to the following impact areas:
Impact Area 1: Affordable, secure and sustainable renewable energy technologies
Impact Area 2: Reduced cost and improved efficiency of renewable energy and renewable fuel technologies
Impact Area 3: De-risking of renewable energy
Impact Area 4: Reinforced European scientific basis and European export potential for renewable energy technologies
Impact Area 5: Availability of disruptive renewable energy and renewable technologies
However, this ambition will be properly assessed once that the piloting platform will be installed and tested. From a technical point of view, all parts of the platform already designed in this reporting period are in line with expectations, which bodes well for ultimately achieving the expected impact
Impact Area 1: Affordable, secure and sustainable renewable energy technologies
Impact Area 2: Reduced cost and improved efficiency of renewable energy and renewable fuel technologies
Impact Area 3: De-risking of renewable energy
Impact Area 4: Reinforced European scientific basis and European export potential for renewable energy technologies
Impact Area 5: Availability of disruptive renewable energy and renewable technologies
However, this ambition will be properly assessed once that the piloting platform will be installed and tested. From a technical point of view, all parts of the platform already designed in this reporting period are in line with expectations, which bodes well for ultimately achieving the expected impact