Global OTEC prepares for first deployment in Atlantic Ocean (Video)

UK-based company Global OTEC is preparing to deploy its floating cylindrical hull into the Atlantic Ocean, with operations set to begin once weather conditions allow. The deployment will take place at the Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN) off Gran Canaria, Spain.

The company recently completed the final preparatory steps, including anchor installation and clearance from the harbor master. 

According to Global OTEC, the project now awaits wave conditions to remain below one meter to facilitate towing the structure to the test site. Once in position, Global OTEC will assemble the cold water pipe and proprietary connection point, moving into the next phase, real-world testing.

“It’s been three years of work, starting with the idea of addressing a historical challenge in Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC): creating a floating structure that can withstand severe weather. As you may know, the first-ever OTEC plant, built in the 1930s in Cuba, was destroyed by a storm,”  the company stated.

“For PLOTEC, we’ve gathered a team of experts from across Europe to design, build, and now test a prototype that is both weather-resistant and cost-effective. This advancement will enable OTEC to be more reliable in tropical storm zones, providing consistent clean energy from the ocean to tropical island utilities.”

Global OTEC’s prototype aims to overcome long-standing challenges in OTEC technology by ensuring resilience in extreme weather conditions. 

PLOCAN is a multipurpose technical-scientific service infrastructure that provides support for research, technological development, and innovation in the marine and maritime sectors, available to public and private users. 

In January, Global OTEC and Brazil’s COPPE/UFRJ signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on advancing the country’s OTEC technology. The two-year partnership will focus on joint research projects, knowledge exchange, and technological developments.

In November 2024, Global OTEC deployed its storm-resistant floating platform, marking a step in developing its OTEC technology. The cylindric hull, named Don and built under the EU-funded PLOTEC project, was launched from Hidramar Shipyards into Atlantic waters for testing.