OCEAN

THERMAL ENERGY
CONVERSION (OTEC):

A Sustainable Economic Development

Option for Puerto Rico
EXPO Convencin Anual CIAPR 2015
Ro Mar Beach Resort, Ro Grande, PR

Manuel A.J. Laboy-Rivera, PE, MBA, CSP

Presentation Outline
* Introduction
* Chronological Review of Major Events

Prior to the 70s

From 1974 to 1981
PREPAS 40 MW Plant Proposal to DOE in 1981
From 1982 to 2006

*
*
*
*

Recent developments and current projects: 2007 to present

Understanding OTEC history what really happened
Puerto Rico and OTEC: today
Puerto Rico and OTEC: the future
* A vision for Puerto Rico: options for sustainable economic
development
* Suggested roadmap for implementation

* Q&A session

there are few things that are unprecedented

and few opportunities for changing the game
George Friedman

The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century (2010)

Introduction:
What is OTEC?
[As dened by US Public Law
96-310 on July 17, 1980]

Method of converting part of
the heat from the Sun which is
stored in the surface layers of a
body of water into electrical
energy or energy product
equivalent.

[Closed-Cycle Shown]

Picture from TU Delft

Introduction:
The Resource
Picture from OTEC.org

Solar energy absorbed by oceans is 4000 x humanity annual consumption.

Less than 1% of this energy will satisfy all global needs (@ thermal/electric conversion of ~ 3%).
OTEC recovers part of the heat energy stored in the Earth's oceans to generate electricity.

Introduction:
What is Required?
Heat Source
Deep Cold Water
(Heat Sink)

Accessibility of
Resources &
Demand for Energy

Introduction:
Type of Systems
Closed-Cycle
[Technically &
economically feasible
today at commercial
scale 10 to 75 MW]

Open-Cycle

Hybrid-Cycle

[Requires more
R&D less than 1 MW;
Co-produces water]

[Suitable for Pilot or

Demonstration Plant
1 to 5 MW; Co-
produces water]

Introduction:
OTEC Evaluation Criteria
Evaluation of OTEC as a commercial option should focus on the
following points:
* Technical viability (engineering/design, o-the-shelf equipment,
deployment/construction)
* Environmental impact
* Economics (competitive cost of electricity versus fossil fuels
such as oil)
* Appropriate nancing strategy and structure (utility project)
* Baseload versus intermittent electric power production

Introduction:
OTEC Evaluation Criteria (cont.)

The Importance of
Baseload Power Generation
(ENR 2011)
even wind, geothermal and
solar energy supporters say they
cannot replace the massive
baseload power provided by
nuclear, natural gas and coal.
solar farms could not
produce electricity 24 hours a
day, as coal, gas or nuclear can.

Introduction:
OTEC Evaluation Criteria (cont.)
* OTEC is a baseload viable technology (closed-cycle 50-75 MW; hybrid-cycle 1-5
MW)
* OTEC uses no fuel
* Eciency or capital cost are important but do not represent the economic
bottom-line
* OTEC cost of electricity is competitive (closed cycle; nal $/kW-h depends on size
due to economies of scale, location/market, nancing specics, contract terms &
conditions, etc.)
* Equipment for closed-cycle system is commercially available (o-the-shelf)
* Safe operation with minimal environmental impacts
* Reliable operation with minimum maintenance
* Platform and/or cold water pipe construction/deployment similar to the marine
and other related industries
* Low pressures and temperatures of OTEC process represent lower equipment
cost compared to high P/T of other similar energy sources

Introduction:
OTEC Social & Environmental Impact
* No fuel needed

One 100-MW plant can save 1,300,000 bbl per year or $130 MM per year (@ $100/bbl)

* No emissions of conventional air pollutants

One 100-MW plant can save 500,000 tons of CO2 per year or $15 MM per year (@ $30/
ton Carbon Credit)

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

No solid wastes
Discharge essentially similar to ambient water
Can concurrently produce potable water (hybrid or open-cycle)
Stable supply (not vulnerable to external factors)
Very high availability factor (>85%)
Cost is known and xed from day 1 (very low volatility)
Public is very receptive to idea, once the basic principle is understood
Baseload electricity (available 24/7/365)

Introduction:
OTEC Risks
* Thermal uid system leak
Ammonia proven safety/environmental record; OSHA PSM; EPA RMP

* Eect of chemicals used to reduce/control biofouling

Proposed intermittent doses below EPAs allowable concentrations

* Upwelling eect
Occurs naturally in various sites worldwide; most famous site is in Perus
o-coast in the Pacic; to be avoided in rst plant; combined discharge
just below the photic zone to match conditions of receiving body

* Marine organisms entrainment and impingement

Use similar technology used in existing coastal power plants

* Movement of large amounts of water

Long-term eects need further study

Introduction:
OTEC Risks (cont.)
* All potential issues can be avoided, controlled and/or mitigated
during system design, industry standards, engineering best
practices and/or through preventive measures during operation
* Environmental impact assessments and strict permitting
process required by both PR and EEUU (NOAA, EPA, EQB, etc.)
* First plant to include program to study long-term environmental
eects during operation UPR recommended as partner
Every energy source pollutes some do so badly and some not so badly, but all do.
Editor-in-Chief, Journal of the Association of Energy Engineers, 2011

Introduction:
Use of Technology to Mitigate Risks

Oceanography

Modeling for one

100-MWe plant
discharges

Modeling for three

100-MWe plants, 2.2
km spacing, 100 m
combined discharge

Review of Major Events:

Prior to the 70s
* Jacques DArsonval formally proposed the idea in France in the 1880s
* Dr. Georges Claude built and operated the rst plant in Matanzas, Cuba in
1930 (22 kW); Power from the Tropical Seas is published in 1930 by
Mechanical Engineering
* In 1950s
French engineers attempted to build an OTEC plant in Abidjan (Ivory Coast)
but project was too costly
Sea Water Conversion Laboratory at University of California was founded
and obtained government funds for research

* James H. Anderson Jr. presented his thesis A Proposal for a New

Application of Thermal Energy from the Sea to MIT in 1964
* Oil embargo occurred in 1974 a game changer

Review of Major Events:

From 1974 to 1981
* Federal government provided funds for OTEC research
* Signicant amount of work done by
Lockheed
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Argonne National Laboratory
General Electric
UPR Mayaguez Center for Energy and Environment Research
(CEER) Oceanography, heat exchanger design and operation
(biofouling, corrosion, microfouling), environmental studies

Review of Major Events:

From 1974 to 1981 (cont.)

Argonne National Lab 1-MWt HX Test Facility

Review of Major Events:

From 1974 to 1981 (cont.)

Demonstration Project @ Hawaii:

Closed-Cycle with NH3
Alfa Laval Titanium
Plate Heat Exchangers
Gross Power: 53 kW
Net Power: 18 kW
Approx. 4 months of operation

Review of Major Events:

From 1974 to 1981 (cont.)
* 1980: General Electric prepared conceptual design for Department of
Energy (DOE) for Hawaii
Gross Power: 55 MWe, Net Power: 40 MWe
Shelf-Mounted
Closed-Cycle with NH3
Trane Al-Bz Plate-Fin HXs (submerged

* 1980: JHU/APL prepared preliminary design for DOE for both Hawaii and
Puerto Rico
Gross Power: 52 MWe, Net Power: 40 MWe
Floating/Moored Platform (Puerto Rico), Grazing NH3 Plantship (Hawaii)
Closed-Cycle with NH3
Two HX Modules: Folded-Tube and PHE; Interchangeable Modules
HX Installation: On-Platform

Review of Major Events:

From 1974 to 1981 (cont.)

1980:
A conference is conducted in
Maunabo to explain OTEC and its
environmental impact
(Sponsored by UPR Sea Grant
Program and UPR Mayaguez CEER)

Review of Major Events:

From 1974 to 1981 (cont.)
* 1980: US Congress approved Public Law 96-310

Solar energy technologies to supply 1% US energy needs by 1990 and 20% by

2000
Demonstration of a minimum of 100 MWe from OTEC by 1986
Demonstration of a minimum of 500 MWe by 1989
Achieve an average COE by installed OTEC systems that is competitive with
conventional energy sources for US Gulf Coast region, US islands, US
territories and possessions by mid 1990s
National goal of 10,000 MW of OTEC electrical energy capacity by 1999

* 1980: US Congress approved Public Law 96-320

To establish guidelines for OTEC nancial and regulatory assistance by

Federal agencies
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as one-stop-
shop for licensing process

Review of Major Events:

From 1974 to 1981 (cont.)
The OTEC Act of 1980:
Sec 2.(a) The Congress nds that:
The supply of nonrenewable fuels in the US is slowly
being depleted
Alternative sources of energy must be developed
OTEC is a renewable energy resource that can make a
signicant contribution to the energy needs of the US
The technology base for OTEC has improved over the
past two years and has consequently lowered the
technical risk involved in constructing moderate size
pilot plants with an electrical generating capacity of
about 10 to 40 MW
it is in the national interest to accelerate eorts to
commercialize OTEC by building pilot and demonstration
facilities and and to begin planning for the
commercialization of OTEC technology
A strong and innovative domestic industry committed to
the commercialization of OTEC must be established

Review of Major Events:

From 1974 to 1981 (cont.)

Environmental Impact Statement (prepared by NOAA in 1981)

Review of Major Events:

From 1974 to 1981 (cont.)

Demonstration Project @ Hawaii:

OTEC-1 (1981)
1-MWe At-Sea Test Facility
Closed-Cycle with NH3
No Turbine (Throttle Valve)
Shell & Tube Titanium Heat
Exchangers
Approx. 3 months of operation

Review of Major Events:

From 1974 to 1981 (cont.)

Meanwhile, Tokyo Electric Co., Toshiba

and the Republic of Nauru completed a
demonstration plant @ Nauru in 1981:
Closed-Cycle with Freon (R-22)
Shell & Tube Titanium Heat Exchangers
Gross Power: 120 kW
Net Power: 31.5 kW
Aprox. 3 months of operation
Plant connected to the islands electric
grid (supplied power to a school)

PREPAS 40 MW Plant
Proposal to DOE in 1981

PREPAS 40 MW Plant
Proposal to DOE in 1981 (cont.)

Key Statements:
PREPA as prime
contractor
Turn-key project
Safety, O&M and
environmental factors
considered
Novel approach to
deployment of tower and
CWP
Project depended on
Federal support

PREPAS 40 MW Plant
Proposal to DOE in 1981 (cont.)

Key Statements:
No fuel needed (free
ocean energy)
Correlation between
OTEC and economic
growth, new industries
and job creation

PREPAS 40 MW Plant
Proposal to DOE in 1981 (cont.)
Proposal considered and emphasized on two major aspects:
World-wide unique characteristics of Punta Tuna in terms of thermal and cold
deep water resources, its proximity to shore, as well as oceanography and
bathymetry related prole and advantages
One of the best documented OTEC sites in the world

PREPAS 40 MW Plant
Proposal to DOE in 1981 (cont.)
40-MW electric power generation
Jacket-type xed tower in 300
feet of water 1 to 2 miles to shore
Modularized power system (10
MW each module)
Closed cycle ammonia power
system
Near bottom mounted shell &
tube titanium heat exchangers
for (1) minimum loading on
tower, (2) wave and hurricane
protection and (3) process
performance
3,000 feet CWP considered at
the time as the biggest challenge

PREPAS 40 MW Plant
Proposal to DOE in 1981 (cont.)
A vision for Puerto Rico
Hard to believe, many would argue, that PREPA did have an economic development vision for
Puerto Rico almost 35 years ago based on short, medium and long term commercialization goals
of OTEC PREPAS proposal was not just to generate power, IT WAS AN INTEGRATED AND
VISIONARY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR PUERTO RICO
PHASE

PUERTO RICO

I
1986-1990
FIRST MINIMUM SIZE
COMMERCIAL PLANTS
(10, 20, 40 & 50 MW)

TEST

OPERATE

II
1990-1996
FIRST LARGE SIZE
COMMERCIAL PLANTS
(100 & 300 MW)

III
1996-2010
MULTIPLE OTEC POWER PLANTS
LAND & NEAR SHORE
(400 MW)

IV
2010-2030
ADDITIONAL OTEC PLANTS
AT SEA & GRAZING

MODULE

Punta Tuna & Vieques OTEC Farms

(2/4/6 400 MW)

Expanded maximum OTEC resource use

MODULE

Supply Vieques, Culebra,

PR & St. Thomas

MODULE

Data on large field multiple

plant ocean thermal resource

OTEC principal PR
electric power source
Offshore out of sight (25 miles)
moored plants
Grazing OTEC plant ships based in PR

MODULE
CARIBBEAN &
INTERNATIONAL

SMALL SIZE
PLANTS
Developing Island Nations
(Caribbean & World)
DOD & Isolated Industrial Sites

MODULE

Power supplied to DR, Haiti & USVI

LARGE SIZE
PLANTS
Jamaica
Dominican Republic
Haiti
Central America
World

PREPAS 40 MW Plant
Proposal to DOE in 1981 (cont.)

PR as a global OTEC leader:

A long-term plan integrating energy with economic
growth manufacturing chemicals, exporting
energy, product and related services.

Review of Major Events:

From 1982 to 2006

Robert Cohens Energy from the Ocean is published

(1982)

J. Hilbert Andersons OTEC: The Coming Energy

Revolution is published (1982)

Review of Major Events:

From 1982 to 2006 (cont.)

ANL published Conceptual Design of a 10 MW Shore-Based

OTEC Plant (1982)

Eugene Kinelskis OTEC Heat Exchangers: A Review of

R&D is published (1985)

Review of Major Events:

From 1982 to 2006 (cont.)

NOAA published The Potential Impact of OTEC on

Fisheries (1986)

SSEB published OTEC: An option for PR based on a 100-

MW by SSP to the Government of PR (1987)

Review of Major Events:

From 1982 to 2006 (cont.)

SSEB Report Key

Statements:
PRs vulnerable and
fragile economy due to
dependency on US
manufacturing
corporations, federal
transfers and imported
oil to generate electric
power
PRs potential to
become world leader
in OTEC technology
and its related spin-o
industries

Review of Major Events:

From 1982 to 2006 (cont.)

Fluor Daniel published Feasibility Study of an 100 MW OTEC ASCE published Conceptual Design of an Open Cycle OTEC
Plant for Production of Electricity and Water (1989)
Plant for SSP (1989)

Review of Major Events:

From 1982 to 2006 (cont.)

Demonstration Project @ Hawaii:

210 kW Open Cycle Experimental Plant
NELHA-PICHTR (1993-1999)

Actual power:
255 kW (gross), 103 kW (net)
Water production:
0.4 l/s (9,130 gal/day)

[Facility is still operational (CWP only)
for DOW applications and R&D]

Review of Major Events:

From 1982 to 2006 (cont.)

Luis Vegas Economics of OTEC is published (1992)

William Avery & Chih Wus Renewable Energy from the

Ocean: A Guide to OTEC is published (1994)

Review of Major Events:

From 1982 to 2006 (cont.)

Richard Crews OTEC Sites is published (1997)

William Avery & Walter Berls Solar Energy from the

Tropical Oceans is published (1998)

Review of Major Events:

From 1982 to 2006 (cont.)

Luis Vegas OTEC is published (1999)

Luis Vegas OTEC Primer is published (2003)

Review of Major Events:

From 1982 to 2006 (cont.)

ASME published The First Commercial OTEC Power

Plant (2004)

Don Lennards OTEC: Its Position in the Renewable Energy

Scene is published (2005)

Recent Developments and Current

Projects: 2007 to Present
In Puerto Rico

An Energy Solution for PR video is launched by OIA
with over 349,000 views in YouTube since 2007

Proposal to PREPA for 75 MW OTEC plant is
submitted by OIA (2007)

Recent Developments and Current

Projects: 2007 to Present (cont.)
In Puerto Rico

Multiple conferences across
the Island to raise
awareness and educate
about OTEC and its benets
to Puerto Rico

Recent Developments and Current

Projects: 2007 to Present (cont.)
In Puerto Rico

Press Article about OTEC (El Nuevo Da on June 24, 2008)

Press Article about OTEC (El Vocero on April 17, 2010)

Recent Developments and Current

Projects: 2007 to Present (cont.)
In Puerto Rico

PREPAs strategic plan including OIAs proposal to develop OTEC (Caribbean Business on March 12, 2009)

Recent Developments and Current

Projects: 2007 to Present (cont.)
In Puerto Rico

Press Article about OTEC (Primera Hora on February 18, 2010)

Press Article about OTEC (El Nuevo Da on September 21, 2011)

Recent Developments and Current

Projects: 2007 to Present (cont.)
In Puerto Rico

OTEC: Heat Exchanger Evaluation and Selection is published

(Manuel Laboy et al. 2010)

Commercial Implementation of OTEC is published (Manuel

Laboy et al. 2010)

Recent Developments and Current

Projects: 2007 to Present (cont.)
In Puerto Rico

Proposal to PRASA for OTEC plant (electric power and

water) is submitted by OIA (2009)

OTEC is included in the PPD 2012 political proposal Plan

Energtico Nacional

Recent Developments and Current

Projects: 2007 to Present (cont.)
In Puerto Rico
2012:
Senate Resolution 289 directs the island
governments Energy Aairs Administration to seek
federal funds and private nancing for a power
plant in the Punta Tuna area of Maunabo. The
Senate bill aims to position Puerto Rico as a world-
class center of research, development and
production. The Senate report on the measure
projects $90 million in annual revenue from the sale
of OTEC power at 15 cents per kilowatt hour, which
is well below the current cost of oil-red power
production in Puerto Rico. It notes that an OTEC
project could be undertaken through a public-
private partnership (PPP). A 2008 report by
researchers at the University of Puerto Rico in
Mayagez characterized Puerto Rico as the best
location in the world for OTEC.

Recent Developments and Current

Projects: 2007 to Present (cont.)
Meanwhile, outside PR

ANL Workshop
Washington DC
2007

NOAA-UNH
Workshops 2009
& 2010

Energy Ocean
International
2009

Energy Ocean
International
2010

Recent Developments and Current

Projects: 2007 to Present (cont.)
Meanwhile, outside PR

OTEC Technical Readiness Report from NOAA (2009)

OTEC Assessing Potential Physical, Chemical and Biological

Impacts and Risks Report from NOAA (2010)

Recent Developments and Current

Projects: 2007 to Present (cont.)
Meanwhile, outside PR

Hawaii published Federal and State Approvals for Marine

and OTEC (2011)

Lockheed Martin published A Developers Roadmap to

OTEC Commercialization (2011)

Recent Developments and Current

Projects: 2007 to Present (cont.)
Meanwhile, outside PR

NELHA published Draft EIA for OTEC Plant in Hawaii (2012)

Makai Engineering published The Hydrogen Economy of

2050 OTEC Driven?

Recent Developments and Current

Projects: 2007 to Present (cont.)
Meanwhile, outside PR

Recent Developments and Current

Projects: 2007 to Present (cont.)
Meanwhile, outside PR
1st OTEC International Symposium Hawaii (2013)
2nd OTEC International Symposium Korea (2014)
3rd OTEC International Symposium Malaysia (2015)

R&D and Commercialization Facilities:

OTEC and Desalination Room
Heat Exchanger Room
Hydrogen Experimental Room
Deep Seawater Simulation Room

R&D and Commercialization

Activities:
Heat Exchangers
Power Cycle
Process Simulation

Recent Developments and Current

Projects: 2007 to Present (cont.)
Meanwhile, outside PR

R&D and Commercialization Activities:

OTEC power cycle design analysis
OTEC power cycle component analysis
Oshore OTEC research
OTEC implementation studies

TU Delft spin-o company: Bluerise
Technology provider and project developer of Ocean Thermal Energy solutions
located in the Netherlands

Recent Developments and Current

Projects: 2007 to Present (cont.)
Meanwhile, outside PR

Hawaiian Electric Company is in negotiations for a power

purchase agreement with an ocean thermal energy
conversion company. A preliminary agreement has been
reached for a unit o the southwest coast of Oahu near
the utilitys Kahe Power Plant.

R&D Activities:
Aluminum Corrosion and
Biocorrosion Testing
Interactive OTEC Power Atlas

Hawaii Ocean Science and Technology Park

(HOST Park)
R&D Activities:
Heat Exchanger Test Facility
Deep Ocean Water Applications

Understanding OTEC History

What Really Happened?
The world

* Cost of oil dropped back to $30/bbl in 1987 and $15/bbl in 1998

* Reagan administration favored nuclear power
* OTEC was perceive as high risk and yet-to-be-demonstrated
technology
This alleged perception contradicts the conclusions that formed the basis
for PL 96-310 and PL 96-320

* Perceptions of the need for alternative energy sources diminished

Supported by low cost of oil (< $30/bbl)

* Essentially all eorts depended on government funding

Federal government (and other nations) stopped most funding for OTEC
research in mid 1980s 1990s

* Global warming not a major concern until much later

Understanding OTEC History

What Really Happened? (cont.)
Puerto Rico

* Cost of oil dropped back to $30/bbl in 1987 and $15/bbl in 1998

* PREPAs avoided cost (used to be a serious barrier)
* Local government waiting for Uncle Sam (or someone else from the
outside) to be the rst and/or make things happen
* Lack of support from some local renewable energy advocates and
proponents
Erroneous perception that OTEC competes with Solar, Wind, Biomass/
Biofuels or other renewable energy sources

* Local government lack (poor or decient?) of leadership and vision

Perhaps afraid (or not used to the idea) to lead the world

Understanding OTEC History

What Really Happened? (cont.)
Puerto Rico and the world
History of Oil Prices (1975-2008)
(in 2008 $$)
1981: ~$100/bbl
(PREPAs proposal for 40 MW plant)
1987: ~$30/bbl
(Private proposal for 100 MW plant)
1994: ~$25/bbl
(Averys proposal for government-funded 40
MW plant)
1998: ~$15/bbl
(Averys proposal for government-funded 40
MW plant; private proposal for 200 MW in PR)
2008: ~$148/bbl
(OIAs proposal for 75 MW plant in PR)

August 7th, 2015: ~$45/bbl

Understanding OTEC History

What Really Happened? (cont.)
Puerto Rico and the US

[Approx. 11-12% today]

Puerto Rico
1985:
98% oil-red, 2% renewable
(hydro)

2006:
~73.1% oil-red, ~12.8% natural gas,
~13.6% carbon, ~0.5% renewable
(hydro)

2013:
In 2013, 55% oil-red, 28% natural
gas, 16% coal, 1% from renewable
(solar, wind & hydro)

Puerto Rico and OTEC: Today

After 35 years since PREPAs proposal
to the DOE

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

No OTEC commercial plant

No OTEC demonstration or pilot plant
No OTEC R&D facilities, initiatives and programs
No OTEC cluster(s) or centers of excellence
No specic legislation for OTEC commercialization roadmap
No OTEC specic (or general) curriculum at university level (BS, MS or PhD)
No government support or government-led programs and initiatives for OTEC
No private sector support or private sector-led programs and initiatives for OTEC
Still, and sadly, no local government leadership and vision for OTEC
Still, waiting for Uncle Sam (or someone else from the outside) to be the rst and/
or make things happen
Still, erroneous perception that OTEC competes with Solar, Wind, Biomass/
Biofuels or other renewable energy sources
Perhaps, we are still afraid (or not used to the idea) to lead the world

Puerto Rico and OTEC: The Future

A vision for Puerto Rico: Options for Sustainable Economic Development

The window of opportunity still exists

Puerto Rico has the best location, natural resources and market conditions to built and operate
the 1st OTEC commercial plant in the world TODAY to become the world-wide leader in OTEC

Puerto Rico and OTEC: The Future

A vision for Puerto Rico: Options for Sustainable Economic Development

This is what we can achieve

* OTEC renewable and baseload electric power generation

Local consumption clean, renewable and competitive cost
Export to the Caribbean region

* OTEC co-generation of desalinated water at competitive cost

Local consumption for potable water and irrigation
Export to the Caribbean region and the world

* Deep ocean water applications

Sea water air conditioning for coastal facilities (i.e. hotels and resorts)
Mariculture/aquaculture (lobsters, shrimp, salmon, others)
Micro-algae (for production of bio-fuels and specialty chemicals)

Puerto Rico and OTEC: The Future

A vision for Puerto Rico: Options for Sustainable Economic Development

This is what we can achieve

* World-class R&D, clusters and centers of excellence
OTEC engineering and design
Heat exchangers and power cycles
Oceanography and marine science
Deep ocean water applications

* World leader in OTEC products and services

Export OTEC manufacturing equipment

Export services (engineering scientic know-how, R&D)

* World leader in the production of green chemicals

Use OTEC 2nd and 3rd generation plants to produce energy-intensive green
chemicals such as Hydrogen, NH3, Methanol, Nitrogen, Oxygen and CO2
Attract other industries for manufacturing products that required these green
chemicals as raw materials
Export these green chemicals to the Caribbean, US and the world

Puerto Rico and OTEC: The Future

A vision for Puerto Rico: Options for Sustainable Economic Development

This is what we can achieve

True economic
development, growth and
industry/academy
integration:
Creation of OTEC/DOW
centers of excellence
and clusters around
the local universities
and OTEC natural
resources
Integration,
maximization and
optimal utilization for
CORCO old facilities/
land and Port of the
Americas

Puerto Rico and OTEC: The Future

Suggested Roadmap for Implementation

Actions that can be taken today
* First commercial plant (>50 MW) in Punta Tuna (closed-cycle, electric power
only) PPA with PREPA or PPP (4-5 years development engineering/design,
permitting/licensing, procurement, construction/deployment, start-up and
operation)
* Parallel, a demonstration or pilot plant (1-5 MW) in Punta Tuna (hybrid cycle,
electric power and water) PPA with PRASA or PPP (3-4 years development)
integrate UPR
* Pass two state laws, one for OTEC commercialization and development, and
one for regulatory framework (similar to PL 96-310 and PL 96-320)
Treat OTEC as a top economic development priority
Formulate (and implement) bold strategy and integrate both public sector
(DDEC, PRIDCO, OEPPE, etc.) and private sector (CIAPR, etc.)

* Develop the rst Puerto Rico OTEC/DOW R&D and Center of Excellence

PSTRT to lead and nance eorts in collaboration with UPR and private sector

The End

Remember

there are few things that are

unprecedented and few
opportunities for changing the game
George Friedman

The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century

(2010)

WE HAVE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO
CHANGE THE GAME TO ACHIEVE LONG-
TERM GROWTH AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT FOR PUERTO RICO

Q&A Session




Email: laboy.manuel@rocketmail.com