Is bigger always better? Designing economically feasible ocean thermal energy conversion systems using spatiotemporal resource data

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) produces electricity using the temperature difference between warm surface and cold deep-sea water. OTEC systems in literature only limitedly consider seasonal seawater variations thus might not be adequately sized for off-design conditions. This potentially leads to techno-economically sub-optimal design choices. paper sheds light on which approach yields most economically feasible system considering conditions with 19 years of data 3-h time steps. We find that worst-case thermal resources yield highest steadiest production. If are moderate, these also perform best terms Levelized Cost Electricity (LCOE). demonstrate our model a 136 MWgross plant Ende, Indonesia, an LCOE 15.12 US¢(2021)/kWh against local tariff 15.77 US¢(2021)/kWh. The is validated different cost assumptions, sizes, profiles useful globally. give recommendations curb costs move large-scale closer today’s state art, e.g. by multiple smaller pipes instead few large pipes. prove OTEC’s global economic feasibility promote technology’s commercialisation.