Ever since OTECA-JAPAN, comprised mainly of staff members form 25 different Japanese companies were established in February 1998, it has promoted research for OTEC realization.
Based on the results of possible OTEC plant site surveys carried out in 1989 OTECA has prepared two types of OTEC concepts for multi-purpose applications, with the cold discharge water used by the OTEC plant characterized by high purity, low temperature and rich in nutrients.
One is the concept on Christmas Island in the Republic of Kiribati, and the other on Viti Levu in the Republic of Fiji.
Christmas Island, having numerous lagoons, is the largest atoll in the world, and is located in the eastern part of the Pacific in waters of the Southern Equatorial Current.
Under these ideal circumstances, the concept of OTEC on Christmas Island envisages the setting up of an institute for basic research on oceanography in tropical regions.
The institute aims at contributing to the development of global scientific research.
On the other hand, the Government of Fiji plans to promote development of its tourist and fish farming industries, which policies are consistent with the applications of deep sea water used by the OTEC plant.
The OTEC concept on Viti Levu envisages realization of a cool energy supply project for the resort/hotel area, located nearby the OTEC plant, and a fish-farming project.
This year OTECA plants to study these concepts. (Minoru Okada, OTECA-Japan)