Ocean Thermal Energy Corporation (OTE Corp) has secured a $3.5 million contract with Johnson Controls to develop an advanced Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system for the U.S. Army Garrison - Kwajalein Atoll, marking a significant milestone in renewable energy applications for military infrastructure.
The project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of a 17.5MW OTEC system that can generate clean, continuous power and desalinated water by leveraging natural ocean temperature differences. This innovative approach directly addresses critical challenges facing remote military installations, including energy independence and sustainable resource management.
Collaborating with DCO Energy, OTE Corp will conduct a comprehensive feasibility assessment that includes project load analysis, conceptual engineering, and cost estimation. The initiative aligns with the U.S. Army's strategic objectives of enhancing energy security, sustainability, and operational resilience in challenging geographical environments.
Key project goals include validating OTEC technology's practicality for remote military bases, demonstrating system reliability and scalability, and developing tailored solutions in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Beyond electricity generation, the project will explore seawater desalination capabilities, offering a holistic approach to addressing resource challenges.
OTE Corp's Chairman and CEO, Jeremy P. Feakins, emphasized the project's significance, noting that the collaboration represents a transformative step in integrating renewable energy technologies into national defense strategies. The initiative could potentially provide a replicable model for enhancing operational readiness in remote and resource-constrained military installations.
By leveraging OTEC technology, the project seeks to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and create more sustainable, resilient energy infrastructure for military operations. The successful implementation could have far-reaching implications for renewable energy deployment in challenging geographical contexts.
