Assessment of Oceanographic Data Requirements for the Design of OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion) Plants

摘要

The design, siting and 30 years' operation of OTEC plants (floating and/or bottom-mounted structures) requires the capability to predict the effects of the marine environment on the structure. As the environment varies, between and within OTEC potential sites, in-situ measurements are required to describe environment and identify the conditions it imposes on conceptual designs available. To establish and define the oceanographic data requirements, an iterative feedback process among structural analysts and oceanographers must be set in motion. Ultimately, an adequate analytical representation of environment imposed forcing functions, based on in-situ long-term measurements must be developed.