Gibbs & Cox Receives OTEC Design Contract

The Department of Energy has awarded ft contract to Gibbs & Cox, Inc. for system engineering studies of alternative ocean platforms to support the modular installation of Offshore Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) power systems in the 10 to 40 megawatt range. The one-year contract with two one-year options will include investigations of moored spar and barge configurations to support developmental OTEC equipment.

The OTEC concept uses the temperature differential between surface and deepwater to evaporate and condense ammonia as a working fluid to power turbogenerators.

The studies will evaluate alternative concepts for the platform and the Cold Water Pipe (CWP), which brings seawater from a depth of about 3,000 feet to the power system.

Areas of particular concern include platform and CWP materials and dynamic loads, mooring system requirements, construction and deployment concepts and assessment of cost, schedule and related risk.

Conceptual designs will be prepared for optimum spar and barge designs to support the preparation of the OTEC 10/40 Requests for Proposal to be issued in early 1979.

Follow-on studies are planned relating to preliminary design and model tests of selected options.

Robert Scott, assistant head of the Gibbs & Cox, Inc. Washington Division, will act as project manager. ABAM Engineers, Inc., Burns and Roe, Inc., Dravo Corporation, Giannotti & Buck Associates, Inc., A.C.

McClure Associates, Inc., and Tokola Offshore, Inc. will provide subcontractor support.

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