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History of OTEC Technology
Basics of OTEC technology was introduced by a French scientist Mr. J. D'Arsonval more than a century ago, in 1881 strictly speaking.
No striking results, however, were achieved at that time.
Oil crisis in 1970s became a turning point for many scientists to go into full-scale investigation and study of OTEC technology.
Particularly, researchers in Japan and in the USA as well were strongly motivated for in-depth study of OTEC.
A professor at Saga University of Japan started in 1973 his OTEC study and since then his study team has been tackling all sorts of theme needed for realization of commercial OTEC plant.
They have built so far 11 experimental plants and acquired a number of technical data and know-how and have registered
a number of patents both in Japan and abroad.
Xenesys Inc., Ltd., Japan, a strong sympathizer of Saga University's OTEC study, took part in the research and
development works of the university and was granted in January 2000 by the Japanese Ministry of Education to get transfer of all patents held by Saga University.
Among many events in the long OTEC history, the experimental 1MW project by NIOT, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennnai, India,
is worthy of special mention from the point of view of its output capacity.
The plant, which will be put into operation in mid 2001, will be a stepping stone for commercial use of OTEC in the very near future. Saga
University as well as Xenesys Inc. have been providing technical assistance to NIOT.
Chronological table of OTEC history
|
| 1881 |
Mr. J. D'Arsonval.announced his idea of OTEC theory |
| 1926 |
Mr. G. Claude, a French scientist, began research for commercial use |
| 1933 |
Mr. G. Claude built a ship for a 200kW experimental OTEC but failed |
| 1964 |
Mr. Anderson of USA announced his idea of off-shore OTEC plant |
| 1970 |
Japanese government organized a study team of new power generation system, in which OTEC shared major part |
| 1973 |
Saga University of Japan began the study of OTEC |
| 1974 |
Japanese government established an organization called SUNSHINE Project. OTEC was one of the most important subjects.
In the USA, ERADA project has been launched.
The first international conference on OTEC was held in the USA. |
| 1977 |
Saga University succeeded with 1 kW experimental plant |
| 1979 |
The Mini-OTEC project by USA was a success with 50kW gross power. |
| 1980 |
Off-shore experiment by Saga University took place off coast of Shimane prefecture in Japan. |
| 1981 |
Tokyo Electric Co., and its subsidiary undertook successful experiment of a 120 kW OTEC in the Republic of Nauru. |
| 1982 |
Kyushu Electric Co., of Japan succeeded with their 50kW OTEC in Tokunoshima island. |
| 1985 |
A 75 kW experimental OTEC plant was installed at Saga University. |
| 1988 |
25 of leading Japanese companies of different business fields like power generation, engineering and consultation, ship building, manufacturing of heavy machinery etc. had joined to form an organization of OTEC study |
| 1989 |
Science & Technology Agency of Japan began study of utilization of deep ocean water (DOW), the first ever in the world. |
| 1990 |
IOA, International OTEC Association, was organized by Taiwan, USA and Japan. |
| 1993 |
USA completed their 210kW open cycle OTEC plant off coast of Kona,Hawaii. |
| 1994 |
Saga University built another experimental 4.5 kW OTEC plant with a newly invented cycle. |
| 1995 |
Saga University started tests with the plant above-mentioned. |
| 1997 |
Technical agreement was signed between NIOT and Saga University with regard to the 1MW floating type OTEC planned by NIOT. |
| 1999 |
International conference on OTEC and DOW (deep ocean water) was held in Imari, Saga prefecture, Japan. |
| 2001 |
The 1MW OTEC plant by NIOT will be commissioned by April 2001. |
| 2003 |
Institute of Ocean Energy Saga University was founded |
