A new agreement between Global OTEC and Makai Ocean Engineering marks a key step in the development of sustainable ocean thermal energy solutions. The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding to work together on the engineering and validation of thin film heat exchangers, critical to improving the efficiency of floating OTEC energy modules.
Heat exchanger technology
Based in the United Kingdom, it specializes in the deployment of floating floating modules that harness the marine thermal gradient to generate carbon-free energy. Hawaii-based Makai Ocean Engineering brings decades of experience in subsea pipeline design, thermal transfer systems and ocean infrastructure development.
The breakthrough inoptimized heat exchangers will enable small island developing states (SIDS) to access baseload power without resorting to fossil fuels. This aligns with the company’s mission to empower coastal nations and least developed countries through autonomous and sustainable solutions.
Makai’s exchanger technology, specifically its thin film design, has been recognized for minimizing thermal loss in offshore applications. This innovation is important for the efficient operation of OTEC modules, where the temperature difference between deep and shallow water drives power generation.
This memorandum establishes the basis for joint testing and validation of prototypes in real environments. This will accelerate the commercial implementation of OTEC solutions, especially for coastal communities with high energy costs and limited generation infrastructure.
Source and photo: Global OTEC
