Geophysical and oceanographic site survey requirements for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) installations

This paper presents the logistical and technical requirements for, and initial results of, preliminary geophysical surveys of a candidate site for installation of an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) pilot plant off Pearl Harbor, O'ahu, Hawai'i. Siting and construction of an OTEC plant, in addition to the obvious physical system design, requires extensive knowledge of the atmosphere, ocean and seabed environments in and above which it will be anchored. We examine specific elements of oceanographic, geological and geoengineering concern to the development team, describe critical ocean measurements underway at present, and present initial results of bathymetric and sidescan surveys, sub-bottom sediment profiles, and gravity cores taken near the candidate site.