Project description
Pumping solar energy from the ocean
The ocean is like one huge solar panel that is heated up every day. In fact, the ocean is the world’s largest solar collector. In this context, the EU-funded PLOTEC project will develop an ocean thermal energy conversion platform. This will be used to convert solar heat energy stored in the ocean surrounding the overseas countries and territories of the EU into dependable, baseload power with an economical cost model. PLOTEC will design the prototype components using circular materials and computational modelling tools (predictive modelling tools developed and/or refined). Drawing from technical advances in marine engineering, as well as new materials and computational modelling, it will also build and install a demonstrator (floating platform and testing in controlled and real-world settings).
Objective
The overall objective for the project is to achieve a successful demonstration of the novel designs and materials for an ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) platform capable of converting solar heat energy stored in the oceans surrounding the Overseas Countries and Territories of the EU, Small Islands and Developing States, and the Asian and African continent into reliable, baseload power with an economical cost model. The following objectives have been identified:
Technical Specification: Design prototype components using circular materials and computational Modelling tools (Predictive Modelling tools developed and/or refined)
Research Material Properties
Build and Installation of Demonstrator: Floating Platform & testing in controlled and real-worldsettings
Econometric, Environmental and Social Impact Assessments
This project marries both technical advancements in marine engineering and new materials and computational modelling enabling lower CAPEX expenditure for Marine Offshore OTEC. These engineering and materials gains are transferable to other renwable energies and their offshore installations, as well as more generally for marine engineering needs. Social, Environmental and Economic impacts are taken account of in this proposal and are the key mechanism for knowlegde creationa nd dissemination.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinator
35200 Telde
Spain