Riser-Cable Development for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Plants

摘要

A four-year program has been completed for the design, manufacture, and evaluation of high-voltage riser cables for use with moored, floating, ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) power plants. Two riser-cable designs have been manufactured and tested; one using self-contained, oil-filled (SCOF) insulation and the other using cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation. SCOF and XLPE cables manufactured for testing are evaluated for suitability in OTEC service. Shortcomings of existing designs are noted. A sensitivity analysis of cable design characteristics according to specified design and environmental conditions has also been conducted from which guidelines for second-generation cable designs are then developed. The report concludes with a discussion of the relative merits of each cable concept. The discussion identifies changes in cable and system design necessary for successful cable-system development and identifies future research and development needs. (ERA citation 08:057068)