Makai Ocean Engineering and Shell partner on ocean thermal energy conversion

Hawaii-based Makai Ocean Engineering has partnered with Shell Technology's Marine Renewable Program to further develop and test an offshore Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system.

Makai’s proprietary OTEC system and heat exchanger comprises a Thin Foil Heat Exchanger (TFHX), which can potentially reduce the capital costs and operating costs of an offshore OTEC system.

A key part of this study is to work with Shell to accelerate the timeframe for reaching economic viability of OTEC systems.

"Makai's legacy with OTEC R&D spans nearly half a century. As we look ahead, our enthusiasm only grows. Partnering with Shell Technology - Marine Renewable Program provides an avenue to translate our research into actionable and commercially viable solutions," says Richard Argall, ocean energy division head at Makai. "Makai’s and Shell’s shared vision is to harness marine energy sustainably, and together, we are poised to make that vision a reality."

Have you read?
Commercial-scale ocean thermal energy conversion tech launched
NREL prepares four wave energy devices for PacWave South deployment

Makai Ocean Engineering was founded in 1973 as a diversified ocean engineering company. The firm became an early adopter of OTEC technology and continues its mission to exploit practical applications of both existing and emerging technologies to unlock the vast energy potential of our oceans.

The development of Makai’s critical heat exchanger technologies was made possible with the support of the United States Office of Naval Research.

The Shell Technology - Marine Renewable Program seeks to develop marine renewable energy technologies to achieve more value from the blue economy while lowering emissions.

“We congratulate the exceptional team at Makai for pursuing innovation in OTEC technologies and establishing themselves as a leader in the industry. As we continue to explore how to achieve more value with lower emissions through promising marine renewable energy systems, we are excited that Makai is one of our first major partners in the OTEC space,” Dr. Pak Leung, marine renewable programme manager, Shell Technology.