The first floating platform for ocean thermal energy conversion will be developed in São Tomé and Príncipe

The first floating ocean thermal energy conversion platform will be designed in São Tomé and Príncipe. This 1.5 MW unit, called Dominique, is being developed by Global OTEC and is expected to be installed in 2025.

This pioneering project consists of diesel imports that can be replaced with clean energy from the ocean. The operating principle of the OTEC technology involves a floating system that uses hot water from the sea surface to evaporate a low boiling point liquid. This hot steam produced drives a turbine that produces electricity. Cold water from the deeper area of the ocean is then used to cool the steam and condense it back into a liquid state, so that the cycle can be repeated throughout the year, producing electricity without CO2 emissions.

The approval process for this project was handled by Lloyd's Register group and provides the developers with initial confidence that their technology is capable of being assessed against existing codes and standards. The granting of approval to Global OTEC is an acknowledgement that the platform meets the necessary requirements to provide a structural basis for the implementation of OTEC technology.

“Building on the certificate of approval issued from marine warranty surveyor, ABL Group, we have further validation of our technically sound and reasonable approach to commercialising OTEC technology. The challenges which have stalled OTEC deployments are not insurmountable. Following excellent engineering practices, overseen by regulatory bodies, provides our customers and investors with a great deal of comfort”, highlights Global OTEC Founder and CEO Dan Grech.

In awarding the AiP to Global OTEC, Jenny Wilson, Engineering Discipline Team Manager at Lloyd’s Register said “LR is pleased to award an Approval in Principle to Global OTEC for a barge to support its Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion platform, Dominique. This project fits squarely within the UN sustainable development goals of the IECRE system that LR as a Renewable Energy Certification Body (RECB) for Marine Energy fully supports. Global OTEC’s platform will offer a green alternative to fossil fuel energy with zero carbon emissions and will be a vital source of renewable electricity for developing countries.”

Certificate of Approval

In April 2023, Global OTEC already achieved its first Certificate of Approval for the methodology of installation of a Cold-Water Riser, for the purposes of an offshore OTEC platform. This was a crucial step in the design process, using standards already tested and applied to the Oil and Gas industry for implementation in OTEC deployments. The certificate was issued by the Marine Warranty Surveyor company ABL Group and has been in effect since the 4th of April. This approval was particularly important given the technical challenges faced by OTEC installations, and the long history of OTEC’s unsuccessful implementations.

Source: Global OTEC