Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...

Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative
Renewable Energy Technology Assessments
3.0 Renewable Energy Technology
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organizations and receive the majority of their funding through grants, research
foundations, or federal programs. This section provides an explanation of some of the
R&D and demonstration projects that are ongoing.
The Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA) and the Pacific
International Center for High Technology Research (PICHTR) have led the American
efforts in OTEC technology. In 1979 a mini CC-OTEC plant off Keahole Point (Big
Island of Hawaii) produced 18 kW of net power. In the 1990’s an OC-OTEC plant
produced up to 103 kW of net power. No OTEC facility is currently generating at these
locations. Research into OTEC and its potential related services continues at NELHA,
and a proposal is currently being developed for submittal to NELHA for a 1 MW OTEC
plant running on the Kalina cycle.
Ocean Engineering & Energy Systems International (OCEES) based in Honolulu
has incorporated the Kalina cycle into their CC-OTEC technology. The Kalina cycle is a
modified Rankine cycle with an increased efficiency resulting from the altered properties
of its ammonia/water working fluid, rather than the pure water or ammonia working fluid
in a standard Rankine cycle. Use of this cycle should allow higher efficiency and hence
reduced costs. Figure 3-10 shows a flow diagram of a Kalina Cycle CC-OTEC.
Figure 3-10. CC-OTEC Using the Kalina Cycle (Source: Saga University).
OCEES has partnered with Makai Ocean Engineering who was involved in the
recent installation of the new large deep water pipelines at NELHA. OCEES has
proposed an 8 MW OTEC plant at the US Navy base on the Diego Garcia Island, Indian
Ocean. This project is under active development.
21 March 2005 3-48 Black & Veatch