Studies leading to the development of conceptual designs for two 400 MW Offshore Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Commercial Plants are summarized. A detailed overview of the study Final Report which was completed in Jun 1978 is presented. The successful deployment of a Commercial OTEC Plant in the near term is dependent upon the optimization of the platform configuration and power plant output level. The optimization procedure is based on both technical and economic factors and is used to evaluate a relatively large number of alternatives; i.e., six hullforms, five plant outputs ranging from 50 to 500 megawatts (MW), and three deployment sites. The hullforms under consideration include the ship (barge), cylinder (disc), spar, submersible, semi-submersible, and sphere; while the deployment sites are Hawaii, New Orleans, and Key West. The second part of the Summary describes the development of the two platforms selected by DOE to be carried through the Conceptual Design level: a 400 MW ship and semi-submersible. These studies include platform and cold water pipe (CWP) optimization trade-offs, arrangements, structure, position control, seawater systems, and auxiliary systems. Deployment concepts are also discussed, followed by definition of costs and schedules for both alternatives. A development plan to bring both Commercial Plant alternatives to fruition via an intermediate 100 MW Demonstration Plant which will reduce technical risks to an acceptable level is presented.
