For remote islands with high energy prices in the tropics, Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) can be a reliable energy source to supply a renewable baseload for the energy grid. Also, due to the increasing cooling demand, there is a need for sustainable cooling around the equator. This can be supplied by seawater air-conditioning (SWAC). For the cold water supply of such projects, there is a cold water pipe required that could reach to a depth of up to 1000m. The cold water pipe material that is investi¬gated in this thesis is high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The installation of these large diameter cold water pipes is challenging and requires careful attention, as it is one of the most expensive components of an ocean thermal energy project. A dynamic 3D geometrically non-linear Euler-Bernoulli model is developed that allows for large deformations. In this way, the lowering procedure, including lateral current actions on the pipe can be modelled in order to check the structural integrity of the pipe during installation. The model is validated by comparing it to scale model tests in MARIN, which results in a good comparison between the numerical model and scale model tests. Additionally, the model is compared to a geometrically non-linear Timoshenko beam model to estimate whether shear deformation plays a role for large diameter HDPE pipes. Both models showed a good comparison and the for the bending radii that are of interest, shear deformation is negligible. Making use of the numerical Euler-Bernoulli model, a case study is performed for a seawater air-conditioning project in Curaçao. Different installation methods are compared, where the subsurface cur¬rent velocity is an important parameter. This velocity determines the required amount of ballast of the largest section of the pipeline. For high current velocities, the ballast is high, such that there are multiple holding points required along the pipe in order to make it sink in one piece without exceeding the design stress of HDPE. Ballast can be applied by means of concrete blocks along the pipeline. The pipe can be controlled during installation by either buoyancy modules or vessels with tug lines. Another option is to reduce the specific gravity of the pipe and to apply post ballasting by means of rock dumping. The best solution de¬pends on site specific conditions, where detailed current velocity profiles are desired to choose the most cost effective solution. During installation, the currents will have an impact on the lateral deflection of the pipe, which can lead up to a deflection of several hundreds of meters if no measures are taken. Several vessels are required along the pipeline during installation to make sure the pipe is installed on the planned trajectory. ... Read more

Due to climate change and growing cities, water scarcity is becoming one of the futures biggest problems. On top of that, the population and prosperity of cities around the equator are growing fast. Meaning that the need for electricity, cooling and drinking water will grow fast in the following decades. ROTEC’s vision is that these growing problems require a sustainable approach for the future.
A solution to these challenges can be found in the oceans temperature difference. The top layer of the ocean is heated by the sun, while the deeper layer remains cold. This causes around the equator a temperature difference of more than 20 degrees over the ocean’s depth. This offers a lot of opportunities. It can be used as a vast source for electricity production (OTEC), large scale drinking water production (ROTEC) and for cooling (SWAC). Indonesia is one of the best locations worldwide, due to the easy access of cold deep sea water and the abundant presence of hot surface water. North-Sulawesi has a unique access to these sources. Due to the steep slope of the seabed the cold deep seawater can easily be reached.
Team ROTEC conducted a research in Manado for two months and came up with several solutions that can contribute to a more sustainable and beneficial future of North Sulawesi. There was mainly focussed on performing a need assessment for the capital Manado and the touristic Bunaken Island. This pointed out that Manado can reduce their electricity usage during peak loads by implementing a new way of cooling of malls and hotels along the boulevard. Bunaken needs electricity and drinking water in a way that is more easy to maintain and operate. Data analysis and measurements showed that both Bunaken and Manado have a high theoretical potential, since cold deep seawater is close to shore and found at relative shallow depths.
For Manado a new seawater district cooling system is proposed. This system uses cold deep seawater to cool the large buildings along the boulevard, instead of conventional chiller-cooling-tower units. The solution reduces their electricity usage for cooling by 96% and more electricity is left for the grid of Manado. The yearly costs for the operation of the cooling is 92% cheaper and the investment for the installation is earned back within 6 years after construction. Peak loads in the grid are decreased and emissions reduced; equivalent to 19,000 tons CO2 per year.
For Bunaken an integrated drinking water and electricity solution is found. By just using the temperature difference in the ocean, to produce clean and constant electricity and drinking water from seawater. The proposed installation provides the base load (80kW) for Bunaken for the same price as current solar PV and diesel generators together. Clean drinking water for the villagers is 12 times cheaper than Aqua Danone and 1.4 times cheaper than the not drinkable water from fresh water wells on the island. Such a kind of installation can produce 24/7, is stable and that without the need of fuels. ... Read more