Slog Bog

https://www.mol.co.jp/en/pr/2023/23038.html

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Demonstration Project in Okinawa Selected by Japan's Ministry of the Environment - Aiming to Commercialize World's 1st Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion by around 2026 -

March 24, 2023

TOKYO-Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL; President & CEO: Takeshi Hashimoto) today announced that an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) demonstration project using deep ocean water on Kume Island, Okinawa Prefecture, which is being undertaken by MOL, Xenesys, Inc. (President and Representative Director: Kenichi Fukushima; Headquarters: Koto-ku, Tokyo, Note 1) and Saga University (Note 1), has been selected by the Ministry of the Environment for the "FY2022 Technology Development and Demonstration Project for Regional Symbiosis and Cross-Sectoral Carbon Neutrality".

Since April 2022, MOL, along with Saga University and Kumejima Town, has participated in the operation of the only Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Demonstration Test Facility in Japan owned by Okinawa Prefecture (Fig. 1), which is maintained and managed by Xenesys, and accumulate OTEC operation know-how. The aim is to achieve the world's first commercialization of OTEC on a 1 MW scale by around 2026.

The demonstration project includes manufacturing large, parallel-type titanium heat exchangers equivalent to 200 kW of power generation and verifying their performance from FY2022 to FY2024, aiming to establish large-scale heat recovery technology from seawater for the commercialization of OTEC.

(Fig. 1) The Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Demonstration Test Facility
owned by Okinawa Prefecture (Kumejima Town)


OTEC uses the temperature difference between warm water in the surface layer and cold water in the deep sea to generate electricity. Deep ocean water is pumped up from a depth of 600m or more and the energy is extracted from the temperature difference between the deep ocean water and the surface ocean water. Since OTEC is not greatly affected by weather conditions, it is capable of stable power generation 24 hours a day, ensuring stable and predictable power output.

Another benefit of OTEC that is drawing attention is that even after deep ocean water is used for power generation, the water quality is unchanged, and the temperature is still low enough to be used for secondary purposes such as fisheries, agriculture, and air conditioning.
Although research has been conducted in Japan, Hawaii, South Korea, and the Republic of Nauru, commercialization of this power source has not yet been achieved. MOL aims to quickly commercialize OTEC power generation in Japan and overseas through the operation of the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Demonstration Test Facility owned by Okinawa Prefecture, the verification research of feasibility and dissemination of OTEC in Mauritius,(Note 2) and this demonstration project, utilizing the knowledge and expertise it has accumulated through its offshore business and supply chain network.

The combined use of deep ocean water as a regional resource for OTEC, fisheries, and other fields is also known as the "Kumejima Model," and for more than 10 years, Kumejima Town in Okinawa Prefecture has been working steadily toward the realization of a decarbonized society and a regional recycling symbiosis zone. The commercialization of OTEC is in line with Kumejima's policy for increasing energy self-sufficiency through renewable energy (Kumejima Town Energy Vision 2020), and the project is being promoted in cooperation with the town. The project has drawn considerable attention both domestically and internationally, leading MOL to propose the demonstration project in parallel with plans for further expansion of deep ocean water intake facilities and combined use of deep ocean water in Kumejima Town.

MOL will work toward the early commercialization of marine renewable energy, which has great potential as a natural energy source.

(Note 1) Xenesys, which jointly proposed the project, and Saga University, the joint research partner, have world-class OTEC technologies and have participated in various OTEC projects worldwide.
Xenesys: http://www.xenesys.com/english/index.html
Saga University: https://www.ioes.saga-u.ac.jp/en/

(Note 2) Please refer to the following press release for other MOL’s OTEC initiatives.
July 14, 2022: Verification Research of Feasibility and Dissemination of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion in Mauritius Selected for NEDO Project - Accelerating Commercialization of Ocean Renewable Energy, Following Project Now in Operation in Okinawa -

[MOL Group 5 Sustainability Issues]
MOL Group will contribute to realizing a sustainable society by promoting responses to sustainability issues, which are identified as social issues that must be addressed as priorities through its business.

We anticipate this initiative to contribute especially to the realization of "Safety & Value -Provide added value through safe transportation and our social infrastructure business-", "Environment -Conservation for Marine and global environment-" and "Human & Community -Contributing to the growth and development of people and communities-".

Valo wrote: ↑Wed May 29, 2024 2:22 am
The vessel that will be constructed, like Noah constructed an Ark, a ship unlike anything seen or known at the time, will be able to withstand whatever forces required. In my vision we will need such a force in order to escape the collapsing Universe and this will also give us the momentum we need to get to the New Earth.

As we are traveling to the New Earth, this will be the Millennium and it's not just a thousand years, Biblically, it means an indeterminate but a very long time. It may take thousands of years.

The vessel will be up to the task.

This is not a metaphorical vessel that I saw in my vision. It is an actual, physical thing, that will be built. Consider Noah and his time. How crazy was he?

Finrock wrote: ↑Wed May 29, 2024 5:13 pm What a weird life...

http://www.seychellesnewsagency.com/art ... ts+in+SIDS

Seychelles' President calls on international community to back transformative energy projects in SIDS

The President of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, has urged all stakeholders to support the Global Ocean Energy Alliance (GLOEA) and recognise the critical role of innovative financing in securing a sustainable future for small island developing states (SIDS) at a side event of the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States.

The SIDS DOCK event in Antigua and Barbuda was to address the importance of sustainable ocean energy as a nature-based solution. SIDS DOCK is an initiative among member countries of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) to help SIDS transform their energy sectors and address adaptation to climate change.

In his keynote address, Ramkalawan said, "We face a monumental challenge. Our Islands are burdened with outdated, inefficient diesel generators. We urgently need to replace ten thousand megawatts of ageing baseload diesel fuel electricity generation systems that power our country's hospitals, schools, and critical infrastructure, part of the transition that we talk about so much these days."

He highlighted several key projects being developed in other SIDS that could also be implemented elsewhere. One such project is the first OTEC floating platform in Sao Tome to deliver 10 megawatts of baseload power. The project is in its design phase and needs an investment of $50 million to $60 million to become the first commercial-scale renewable energy power plant solely running on the ocean.

Ramkalawan said such innovative projects are important for SIDS and can be implemented in Seychelles.

https://worldarchitecture.org/architecture-projects/pzpch/proposed-green-energy-city-project-pages.html wrote:
Proposed Green Energy City - World Architecture Community

It will generate its own power thru OTEC technology and will feature inter-island Wing In Ground transport making it the central hub for fast tourist

Green Energy City is a spectacular development project involving the reclamation of 500 hectares of offshore areas in Manila Bay to build the most advanced cosmopolitan, eco-friendly, and iconic , off-the-grid waterfront city with 6G interconnectivity and AI-driven technology. It will generate its own power thru OTEC technology and will feature inter-island Wing In Ground transport making it the central hub for fast tourist travel countrywide. It will contain a central business district (CBD), a marina, as well as health, residential , education and entertainment hubs.

It will be accessible via a multi-lane arterial road connecting to the existing Diosdado Macapagal Highway in Bacoor, Cavite. Transit nodes within the City are designed to encourage walking and alternative modes of transportation. The waterfront and parks will be within walking distance from any point in Green Energy City providing comfort, safety and gathering areas for pedestrians. It is designed for future high speed transport.

The City will be defined by districts dedicated to business, commercial, residential, sports and leisure. It will feature a cruise ship port, a theme park , a marina for …

Finrock wrote: ↑Wed May 29, 2024 5:48 pm Came across this a few weeks ago and my first thought was this would be a good thing in a spaceship!

https://imageshack.com/i/po98Boy9j

In this special video, we honour the legacy of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) while developing a solution for OTEC in storm-prone regions with the EU-funded project PLOTEC. The prototype was named Don, after Don Lennard, a British aircraft engineer and Royal Navy veteran, who dedicated his life to advancing OTEC technology. His passion and expertise in marine technology have been pivotal in the ongoing development of clean energy solutions.

PLOTEC pays tribute to Don Lennard's invaluable contributions and celebrates the innovative spirit that continues to drive the OTEC community forward. Join us as we stand on the shoulders of giants to bring sustainable energy to the tropics, fulfilling a vision that has spanned over a century!

_______________________________

PLOTEC is a pan-European consortium that is designing an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) platform capable of withstanding the extreme weather effects of the tropical area of the ocean, with a viable cost model, validated by a scaled demonstration of a structure.
_______________________________

PLOTEC partners:
The consortium is composed of the following companies: Global OTEC (UK), Cleantech Engineering Limited (UK), WavEC Offshore Renewables (Portugal), The Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands PLOCAN (Spain), Quality Culture (Italy), Agru Kunststofftechnik Gesellschaft m.b.H. (Austria) and University of Plymouth School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics (UK).

Jeremy Feakins wrote:
Exciting news on the clean energy front! According to a recent article by the Society of American Military Engineers, the U.S. Army Space & Missile Defense Command, Republic of the Marshall Islands, has been studying ways to achieve 100 percent carbon-pollution-free electricity by 2030. Their findings revealed that Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) could be the solution to reduce long-term energy costs and provide clean freshwater to meet the needs of Kwajalein and neighboring Ebeye. OTEC technology offers a 100 percent carbon-free electricity solution. Check out the article for more information on this innovative approach to sustainable energy. #CleanEnergy #OTEC #Sustainability

https://www.same.org/tmearticle/carbon- ... y-by-2030/

Located in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, U.S. Army Garrison – Kwajalein Atoll is a tremendously remote yet uniquely important and dynamic installation. Situated 2,100-nautical-mi southwest of Honolulu, Hawaii; 3,200-mi north of New Zealand; and 700-mi north of the equator, the base is home to about 1,000 soldiers, government civilians, contractor employees, and host nation personnel and their families.
The garrison has operations on multiple islands across the atoll, with its headquarters on Kwajalein Island. It is responsible for supporting multiple combatant command relationships (U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Strategic Command, and U.S. Space Command) as well as around-the-clock space operations missions that critically rely on power and cooling.
Kwajalein is uniquely strategic, but its geography also means it is positioned at the forefront of impacts from rising sea levels.

To achieve the 100 percent carbon-free electricity laid out in the Army Climate Strategy, U.S. Army Garrison – Kwajalein Atoll studied six potential courses of action, considering the unique geographic location and assets of the remote installation.
Future Outlook
Published in 2022, the Army Climate Strategy adopts aggressive end-state goals to make the service a “resilient and sustainable land force able to operate in all domains with effective mitigation and adaptation measures against the key effects of climate change, consistent with Army modernization efforts.” The document also explicitly states that “the Army is committed to 100 percent carbon-pollution free electricity to meet the needs of its installations by 2030.”
Realizing both the desire to achieve 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2030 and Kwajalein Atoll’s own desire to provide clean, resilient power to critical assets, Army Space & Missile Defense Command, the installation’s host unit, embarked on a study to identify the most appropriate energy alternatives for the future. The resulting findings were accepted in May 2023 and addressed options for providing energy to the vital missions at the atoll and meeting the end-state goals of the Army Climate Strategy.
Courses of Action
Kwajalein Atoll’s location in the Pacific Ocean actually makes it well-positioned to consider a variety of pathways for meeting or exceeding the Army’s climate goals. Its proximity to the equator makes solar power a high-performing asset, and its placement atop an atoll with adjacent deepwater canyons provides opportunities for the use of ocean water that are rarely available to other defense installations.
A total of six known, available, carbon-free alternatives were considered in the roadmap for Kwajalein, with three technologies selected for further development as potential courses of action: solar photovoltaic with battery energy storage system; hydrogen fuel cells with on-site hydrogen production via photovoltaics, and ocean thermal energy conversion. The other three considerations were dismissed for varying reasons. Wind power was eliminated due to seasonal doldrums that mean multiple months of no wind. Micro-nuclear was eliminated out of respect to host nation concerns. Geothermal was eliminated due to lack of a viable resource.
Research on studying aspects of the technology conducted over the last 30 years denotes that commercial-scale ocean thermal energy conversion is more feasible now, thanks to significant advances in material availability, especially large-diameter pipes and titanium heat exchangers
Modeling Outcomes. The courses of action for Kwajalein Island were derived using an operational scenario model developed to simulate operating modes over a full year using actual load data. The model calculated the amount of fuel and electricity generation required by the existing power plants to meet the projected demands and compared it against each alternative.
For the hydrogen fuel cells and ocean thermal energy conversion options, the existing power plants would only need to be used in emergency and testing mode. Conversely, for the solar option, the plants would need to run to meet peaking requirements. The solar option requires that the current power plants operate approximately 13 percent of the time—consuming over 1-million-gal of diesel fuel at the current electricity consumption rate. Provided there is not a prolonged storm event, the photovoltaic array can produce the hydrogen necessary to assure 100 percent carbon-free electricity using fuel cells.
Each of these three courses of action have risks associated with implementation and operation. Although photovoltaics and battery storage are well-developed technologies, the lack of land space on the installation at Kwajalein requires that the majority of the solar panels (61.5-MW) will be in a floating array located in the lagoon. In addition, battery storage can only provide limited electricity back-up capability due to capacity constraints and high costs.
The hydrogen fuel cell solution utilizes solar power to generate the hydrogen that can be stored and provide sufficient back-up capability to assure 100 percent carbon-free electricity. Hydrogen storage requires high-pressure (3,000-psi or greater) to deliver the hydrogen to the fuel cell and for effective storage. Both hydrogen generation and storage have inherent safety concerns due to its explosive nature and high-pressure conditions.
Ocean thermal energy conversion is a demonstrated technology, but it has not been built at full commercial scale. However, an operational 250-kW system located at the Natural Energy Laboratory Hawaii Authority on Hawaii Island has proven that the power cycle works as designed and is being used as a research and development facility to evaluate heat exchanger technology. Research on studying aspects of the technology conducted over the last 30 years denotes that commercial-scale ocean thermal energy conversion is more feasible now, thanks to significant advances in material availability, especially large-diameter pipes and titanium heat exchangers.
Importantly, all three potential technological solutions have a political risk in that the permission of the Republic of the Marshall Islands is required to utilize the lagoon, either for floating solar arrays or for a floating ocean thermal energy conversion platform.

The ocean thermal energy conversion solution would result in a 100 percent carbon-free electricity solution for Kwajalein Atoll as well as provide clean water for the remote island.
Substantial Savings
Ocean thermal energy conversion was selected as the best overall alternative to meet the Army’s goals on Kwajalein Island. The proposed facility, combined with a central electric chiller and chilled water distribution system, offered the best economic solution when compared to solar and hydrogen fuel cell alternatives. Ocean thermal energy conversion provides dispatchable power that can be constructed with off-the-shelf components to produce sufficient electricity for the foreseeable future for Kwajalein Island. Excess power is available to deliver to nearby Ebeye Island

https://www.offshore-energy.biz/tropica ... ion-phase/

Tropical storm-proof OTEC system nears fabrication phase

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS & PROJECTS
March 6, 2024, by Zerina Maksumic
Seven European partners are set to begin fabrication of an ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) platform said to be capable of surviving in tropical storm areas, destined for deployment offshore Spain.


Source: Global OTEC
Being developed under the EU-funded project PLOTEC, fabrication of the system is to begin this month and the platform is anticipated to be installed in the next few months at a testing site in the Canary Islands.

The structure of this platform consists of three main parts, including a cylindric hull, a cold-water riser pipe, and a gimbal connection point.

The cold-water riser pipe is being manufactured by AGRU in Austria, while the cylindrical hull, the largest component of the installation, is currently being built at Hidramar Shipyard in Gran Canaria.

After the fabrication phase, expected to be completed in June, the 1:5 prototype will be assembled and installed at the Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN), approximately three kilometers from the coastline.

Over its operational period, lasting around 12 months, the platform is set to endure the Atlantic Ocean’s conditions. Global OTEC said that computer simulations and a scaled tank test conducted in London last year confirmed the functionality of the proposed OTEC structure.

The outcomes of the project are said to advance marine engineering design, new materials, and computational modeling, enhancing the accessibility of OTEC technology and materials available for other offshore floating energy and marine devices.

The PLOTEC project is dedicated to supporting the renewable energy transition in small island developing states (SIDS) that are known for severe weather conditions.


Source: Global OTEC
According to Global OTEC, these countries rely on outdated diesel generators for electricity generation, lacking cleaner alternatives that are suitable for their geographical challenges. Such challenges encompass hurricanes, typhoons, severe storms, and other climate-related occurrences like El Niño.

The full-scale OTEC structure is also designed to be easily disconnected during extreme weather events and relocated to a secure harbor until the storm passes.

Once the weather clears, it can swiftly be moved back and reconnected to continue electricity generation, leveraging the consistently warm surface seawater in the tropical ocean region regardless of climate conditions.

“This prototype will provide us with the perfect opportunity test our cylindrical hull and gimbal solutions in 20m equivalent waves and hone our offshore connection and disconnection procedure allowing us to maximise asset lifetime and availability even in storm prone regions”, said Sam Johnston, Lead Engineer at Global OTEC, one of the partners of the project.

The consortium behind the project consists of: Global OTEC (UK), Cleantech Engineering Limited (UK), WavEC Offshore Renewables (Portugal), The Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands PLOCAN (Spain), Quality Culture (Italy), Agru Kunststofftechnik Gesellschaft m.b.H. (Austria) and University of Plymouth School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics (UK).

Global OTEC started testing the scaled design of the OTEC platform in May 2023.

In December 2022, the EU’s key funding program for research and innovation, Horizon Europe, and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) awarded €3.5 million to the consortium for the design of the OTEC system.

https://www.dailyexpress.com.my/news/24 ... able-soon/

He said the second Council meeting also heard feedback from the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) regarding the progress of other important generation projects since the first meeting last June.

“This includes decisions on the implementation of future energy source projects, namely the potential and methods of widespread hydroelectric development in Sabah through the Sabah Hydro Development Masterplan study currently being carried out by ECoS, as well as the development of the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plant through the concept of the Pioneer Project,” he said, after chairing the meeting at Menara Kinabalu, Thursday

Valo wrote: ↑Wed Sep 04, 2024 1:58 am

High Spy wrote: ↑Fri Apr 19, 2024 12:08 pm Weird deal recently is an unexpected first sale on ebay of an item listed moths ago. Dude’s Area code was 308 and in an email about it I wrote “When it Rains, it Pours”, because of so many strange things happening of late. 384 is an ideal search term about how 48 came represent warning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce2qlGIWaAU occupies a time interval of 48 seconds, and reminds of our bad OPEC choice while neglecting OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion), similar to decisions made in the Garden of Eden.

When it rains it snows

https://www.techradar.com/vehicle-tech/ ... v-charging

Toyota's portable hydrogen cartridges look like giant AA batteries – and could spell the end of lengthy EV charging

Toyota is showcasing a series of sustainable developments at the Japan Mobility Bizweek later this month – including its vision of a portable hydrogen cartridge future, which could apparently provide 'swappable' power for next-gen hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).

Originally a project of Toyota’s mobility technology subsidiary Woven (formerly Woven Planet), the team produced a working prototype of a hydrogen cartridge back in 2022 but has since developed the idea further… and appears to be running with it.

The latest cartridges are lighter and easier to transport, with Toyota claiming the current iteration has been developed with the experience the company has gained in reducing the size and weight of the hydrogen tanks used in its fuel cell electric vehicles.

The concept involves hydrogen cartridges that are compact and light enough to be carried by hand, with one model wearing what looks like an oversized AA battery on his back in a specially design backpack.