Ocean explored as thermal energy source (Hawaii)

Makai Ocean Engineering is joining with Lockheed Martin in a pilot project to explore ocean thermal energy conversion, aided by as much as $25 million in funding from the U.S. Navy and Department of Energy.

The Kailua-based ocean engineering and naval architecture company hopes to commercialize the technology, which relies on the temperature differential between warm surface water and cold deep seawater to generate electricity. The exact site for the project has yet to be determined, but is planned for Oahu.

The companies were two of approximately 230 companies that attended this week’s Asia Pacific Clean Energy Summit and Expo at the Hawaii Convention Center. The project, on display in the exhibit hall, is an example of outside companies investing in projects in Hawaii that can help the state meet its renewable-energy goals, but also test emerging technologies for applications elsewhere.

"OTEC is a major endeavor and very expensive and well beyond our capabilities to proceed alone," said Joe Van Ryzin, president of Makai Ocean Engineering. "We knew we needed partners and we sought out Lockheed."

In their initial planning phase, the companies are in the process of estimating the amount of energy that can be extracted from the ocean’s thermal layers and the costs associated with a utility-scale operation. The technology is particularly attractive because it provides a constant energy source. The pilot project hopes to provide 5-10 megawatts of energy.

If successful, the ocean thermal energy conversion could be implemented in regions throughout the Pacific Rim.

Read the full story in the Pacific Business News of Honolulu.