OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion) cold water pipe at-sea test program. Volume 2.F.: Environmental design criteria

The prototype for one third scale model is envisioned to be the OTEC Pilot Plant design in the 10/40 MWe size range with an estimated CWP diameter of about 30 feet and an overall vertical length of about 3,000 feet. Thus the one third scale CWP consists of pipe about 10 feet in diameter and 1,000 feet long. A side selection evaluation was initiated to establish a site which would meet both the logistic requirement for construction and operation, provide adequate wave wind climate required for the test validation and finally exhibit bottom slope and sediment layer characteristics adequate for the mooring system, as confirmed by geophysical surveys.