Conclusions and Recommendations Regarding the Deep Sea Hybrid Power Systems Initial Study

摘要

This report summarizes the conclusions made during the Initial Study regarding Deep Sea Hybrid Power Systems, and provides recommendations regarding a path forward. The Initial Study considered numerous power generation/energy conversion and energy storage technologies to support the exploration and production of oil and gas reserves remotely located off shore in the deep ocean. Detailed analyses of the technologies were then conducted. The parameters evaluated at each site included the following: estimated component weight, total weight, and total volume; initial investment, annual cost, and cost of electricity; and the economy of scale. Based upon the Initial Study, the following conclusions were made: *The top two candidates for power generation are both based on the small modular pressurized water reactor. One candidate couples the pressurized water reactor with a secondary steam-turbine- generator system, whereas the other candidate couples the pressurized water reactor with a solid-state thermoelectric generator. *The leading candidates for energy storage are both versions of sodium-beta batteries: sodium/sulfur and sodium/nickel-chloride (also known as ZEBRA batteries). The recommendation for the initial near-term efforts is to focus on conducting a detailed feasibility and implementation study;including technical approach, cost, and schedule. Additional recommendations regarding specific features that the study should address are provided in the report.