Design, construction and sea trials of the 20 kW ocean thermal energy conversion in the South China Sea

Journal Article

Title: Design, construction and sea trials of the 20 kW ocean thermal energy conversion in the South China Sea

Author:

Ou, F.; Ning, B.; Li, J.; Tian, Y.; Qiu, D.; Geng, L.; Jin, X.

Publication Date:

January 1, 2026

Journal:

Energy

Volume:

342

Pages:

Publisher:

Elsevier

Affiliation:

China Geological Survey, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences

Technology:

OTEC, Closed-Cycle

Collection Method:

Field Data, Modeling, Scale Device

Resource:

Site Characterization

Engineering:

Performance, Power Take Off

Language:

English

Document Access

Website:

External Link

Citation

APA
BibTex
RIS

Ou, F.; Ning, B.; Li, J.; Tian, Y.; Qiu, D.; Geng, L.; Jin, X. (2026). Design, construction and sea trials of the 20 kW ocean thermal energy conversion in the South China Sea. Energy, 342, 12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2025.139641

@article{Ou-2026-34897,
author = {Ou, F and Ning, B and Li, J and Tian, Y and Qiu, D and Geng, L and Jin, X},
title = {Design, construction and sea trials of the 20 kW ocean thermal energy conversion in the South China Sea},
journal = {Energy},
year = {2026},
month = {jan},
publisher = {Elsevier},
volume = {342},
pages = {12},
doi = {10.1016/j.energy.2025.139641},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544225052831},
keywords = {OTEC, Closed-Cycle, Field Data, Modeling, Scale Device, Site Characterization, Performance, Power Take Off},
}

Export Citation to BibTex

TY - JOUR
TI - Design, construction and sea trials of the 20 kW ocean thermal energy conversion in the South China Sea
AU - Ou, F
AU - Ning, B
AU - Li, J
AU - Tian, Y
AU - Qiu, D
AU - Geng, L
AU - Jin, X
T2 - Energy
AB - The 20 kW ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) has successfully conducted sea trials in the South China Sea, verifying the technical feasibility of this independently developed system. By constructing a theoretical system of OTEC and comprehensive utilization suitable for the conditions of the South China Sea, the advantageous sea areas for the development of advantageous thermal energy resources are determined. By developing long-distance insulated cold seawater pipes and supporting devices for sea trials, the safe deployment of cold seawater pipes was successfully achieved, and the temperature of the extracted cold water met the operational requirements of the OTEC. During the test period, the actual maximum power generation was 16.4 kW, the cumulative power generation was 57.74 kWh, and the input power grid system was 10.24 kWh. It has effectively promoted the development and utilization of OTEC in China from land test to offshore engineering application. It not only proves that the principle of self-developed OTEC is feasible, but also realizes the practical verification of power generation utilization, marking a monumental stride in our sustainable energy journey.
DA - 2026/01//
PY - 2026
PB - Elsevier
VL - 342
SP - 12
UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544225052831
DO - 10.1016/j.energy.2025.139641
LA - English
KW - OTEC
KW - Closed-Cycle
KW - Field Data
KW - Modeling
KW - Scale Device
KW - Site Characterization
KW - Performance
KW - Power Take Off
ER -

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Abstract

The 20 kW ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) has successfully conducted sea trials in the South China Sea, verifying the technical feasibility of this independently developed system. By constructing a theoretical system of OTEC and comprehensive utilization suitable for the conditions of the South China Sea, the advantageous sea areas for the development of advantageous thermal energy resources are determined. By developing long-distance insulated cold seawater pipes and supporting devices for sea trials, the safe deployment of cold seawater pipes was successfully achieved, and the temperature of the extracted cold water met the operational requirements of the OTEC. During the test period, the actual maximum power generation was 16.4 kW, the cumulative power generation was 57.74 kWh, and the input power grid system was 10.24 kWh. It has effectively promoted the development and utilization of OTEC in China from land test to offshore engineering application. It not only proves that the principle of self-developed OTEC is feasible, but also realizes the practical verification of power generation utilization, marking a monumental stride in our sustainable energy journey.