Makai has been committed to the research and development of ocean-based renewable energy sources since the 1970's. Theoretical research has been applied to real life projects in the areas of sea water air conditioning (SWAC) and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC). Makai designed the seawater intake and mooring for the world's first operating OTEC facility - MINI OTEC. Today, Makai is partnered with Lockheed Martin to aggressively pursue the use of OTEC as a viable means of generating power (electricity) and fuel (hypdrogen or ammonia) in order to reduce the worlds dependence upon oil. Seawater air conditioning is a proven technology that is used throughout the world to lower the cost of cooling large commercial and residential buildings. Makai was responsible for the pipeline design of the first SWAC plant in the United States at Cornell University (using cold water from Lake Cornell). The design of intake pipelines for SWAC continues to be a major source of revenue for Makai.

OTEC, or Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion, is an energy technology that converts solar radiation to electric power. It does not use photovoltaic solar panels to capture energy from the sun. Rather, OTEC systems use the ocean's natural thermal gradient (energy of the sun warms the surface of the ocean forming a temperature gradient from the warm surface waters to cold deep waters). This difference in temperature can be used to to drive a power-producing cycle. A closed-cycle OTEC system uses warm surface seawater to vaporize ammonia (which has a low boiling point) which, in turn, drives turbines attached to electrical generators. The cold seawater is then used to condense ammonia back into a liquid which is then re-vaporized by the warm water. This process can produce a significant amount of power with little impact on the environment. The consistent flow of energy can be used to power commercial and residential needs, or can be used to crack water into hydrogen fuel for use in hydrogen powered vehicles. more

SWAC, or Sea Water Air Conditioning, is an ocean technology that pumps cold deep ocean water to a heat exchanger on the surface in order to cool commercial and residential buildings. The power savings realized by SWAC, as compared to traditional chillers used to cool buildings, can be significant resulting in upwards of an 90% savings in electrical power. This renewable energy source has a short economic payback period and results in a decreased reliance on fossil fuels. Makai has seen a very large increase in demand for SWAC applications in recent years. more

For more information, contact: makai@makai.com