I’m thrilled to sit down with Christopher Hailstone, a renowned expert in renewable energy and energy management, who brings a wealth of knowledge on grid reliability and innovative technologies like Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC). With his deep expertise in electricity delivery and utilities, Christopher offers unique insights into how cutting-edge projects can transform energy security for vulnerable regions. Today, we’re diving into the EU-funded PLOTEC project, a groundbreaking initiative testing a storm-resistant ocean energy platform off the coast of Gran Canaria. Our conversation explores the technology behind OTEC, the significance of resilience in extreme weather, the testing process, and the potential impact on tropical island nations facing climate challenges.
Can you start by explaining what the PLOTEC project is all about and why it matters?
Absolutely, Ava. The PLOTEC project, funded through the EU’s Horizon Europe program, is focused on developing and testing a prototype ocean energy platform that uses Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion, or OTEC, to generate clean, reliable power. The core mission is to provide a sustainable energy solution for island nations that are particularly vulnerable to climate risks like hurricanes and rising sea levels. By proving that this technology can withstand extreme weather, we’re looking at a game-changer for regions desperate for stable, renewable energy sources to replace fossil fuels.
How does this platform harness OTEC to create power, and what sets it apart from other renewable systems?
Great question. OTEC works by exploiting the temperature difference between warm surface water and cold deep water in the ocean. The warm water heats a working fluid, turning it into vapor that drives a turbine to generate electricity, and then the cold water condenses it back to liquid, restarting the cycle. It’s a continuous, baseload power source, unlike solar or wind, which can be intermittent. What makes this platform unique is its design focus on resilience—engineered to endure tropical storms and harsh marine conditions, which is critical for the regions it’s meant to serve.
What makes this platform ‘storm-resistant,’ and why is that such a significant feature?
The storm-resistant aspect comes down to meticulous engineering of the platform’s structure and materials. It’s built with a robust cylindrical hull and designed to handle the intense forces of waves and winds during extreme weather events like hurricanes. This is a big deal because many renewable energy systems struggle in such conditions, often needing to shut down or suffering damage. For island nations in storm-prone areas, having a system that can keep running safely through a hurricane means uninterrupted power when they need it most, which can be lifesaving.
Can you walk us through how this platform is being tested off the coast of Gran Canaria?
Sure. The testing is happening at the PLOCAN test site in the Atlantic, a prime spot for real-world conditions. The first phase was deploying the platform’s cylindrical hull, which is already in place. Now, we’re moving to installing and connecting the cold-water pipe, a critical component for drawing up deep, cold ocean water. Once that’s done, the platform will undergo full structural testing, exposed to the rough Atlantic environment to evaluate how it holds up under stress. It’s a rigorous process to ensure every part performs as expected in challenging conditions.
What kind of data are you aiming to gather from these tests, and how will it be used?
We’re collecting a wide range of data to understand the platform’s performance. Sensors are tracking motion, stability, and stress on the structure—think gyroscopic and accelerometer readings to see how the platform moves with waves, and how the cold-water pipe behaves under pressure. This data validates our computer models, showing us how accurately we can predict real-world interactions. Ultimately, it’ll be combined with performance stats from grid-connected OTEC systems to reduce risks and refine designs for future projects, making them more efficient and reliable.
Why is a project like this so crucial for tropical island states like Barbados?
Tropical island states face some unique and tough energy challenges. Many, like Barbados, rely heavily on diesel generators for power, which are expensive, polluting, and vulnerable to supply disruptions—especially during storms when fuel shipments can be delayed. A successful OTEC platform offers a clean, local energy source that doesn’t depend on imported fuels. It could drastically cut carbon emissions and energy costs while boosting resilience against climate impacts, fundamentally changing how these communities power their lives.
OTEC isn’t a new concept. How does the PLOTEC project build on past efforts in this space?
You’re right, OTEC dates back decades with early demonstrations like Mini-OTEC and OTEC-1 in Hawaii during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Those were pioneering but temporary setups, often using repurposed vessels like a Navy barge or an old tanker, and focused on proving the basic concept. PLOTEC is different because it’s the first long-term offshore operation of an OTEC platform in a while. We’re not just testing if it works, but how it endures over time in a harsh marine environment, with a design specifically tailored for extreme weather—something those early tests didn’t prioritize.
With events like COP30 and the Earthshot Prize 2025 on the horizon, how does the timing of this project resonate with global climate goals?
The timing couldn’t be more significant. With COP30 and the Earthshot Prize 2025 approaching, global attention is on climate resilience and energy security, especially for vulnerable regions. This project sends a powerful message about innovation in renewables—showing that we can develop technologies not just for ideal conditions, but for the toughest environments where they’re needed most. It’s a concrete step toward meeting international climate commitments by offering a scalable, sustainable solution for small island states that often get hit hardest by climate change.
Looking ahead, what’s your forecast for the future of OTEC technology based on initiatives like PLOTEC?
I’m optimistic about OTEC’s future. If projects like PLOTEC succeed in proving long-term reliability and storm resistance, we could see a real surge in adoption, especially in tropical regions with ideal ocean conditions. The data and designs coming out of this will lower the barriers—both technical and financial—for deploying full-scale systems that can power entire island grids or even offshore facilities. I believe we’re on the cusp of OTEC becoming a mainstream player in the renewable energy mix, contributing significantly to global efforts to combat climate change over the next decade or two.
