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PRIMRE/Databases/Projects Database/Devices/Makai 105 kW OTEC
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Makai 105 kW OTEC
Makai's land-based Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) power plant is installed in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii at NELHA's HOST park (formerly known as the Ocean Energy Research Center or OERC) and was first operational in 2015. Makai's design consists of a closed cycle OTEC system with a 105 kW turbine-generator. Although this is currently the largest grid-connected OTEC plant in the world, it is not a commercial power plant and does not operate on a continuous basis.
Makai's OTEC plant uses ammonia as the working fluid. Warm seawater passes through an evaporator and vaporizes the ammonia and then the ammonia vapor passes through a turbine which engages a generator to make electricity. The lower pressure vapor leaves the turbine and condenses in the condenser connected to a flow of deep cold seawater. The liquid ammonia leaves the condenser and is pumped to the evaporator to repeat the cycle.
Additional Information
Device Status
Is the device actively being developed or is available for purchase (active)? Or has development or support ended (inactive)?
Active
Technology Type
Power Take-Off
Mechanism that converts the motion of the prime mover into a useful form of energy such as electricity, learn more
Air Turbine
Max Rated Power Capacity
The maximum amount of electricity that can be produced by the device, as rated by the manufacturer.
105 KW
Surface ExpressionTrue
Estimated TRL
Estimated Technology Readiness Level scale from 1 to 9 with 9 being the most mature technology
TRL Last updated: 19 September 2023
6
Energy Resource
- Thermal Gradient
Water Column Position
Surface
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Submerged - Mid
Entire Water Column
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Submerged - Bottom
Last Modified
29 April 2025
Test Sites where Makai 105 kW OTEC was tested
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Citation Formats
“Makai 105 kW OTEC.” Marine Energy Projects Database: Devices, PRIMRE, United States Department of Energy, https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Devices/Makai_105_kW_OTEC. Accessed <day> <monthRoman> <year>.
Marine Energy Projects Database: Devices. <year>. "Makai 105 kW OTEC." Accessed <monthRoman> <day>, <year>. https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Devices/Makai_105_kW_OTEC.
