Electric-utility-system planning studies for OTEC power integration by Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority. Final report

Technical Report · Tue Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982

OSTI ID:6274105

The steady-state analysis of the Puerto Rico transmission network with the OTEC unit at four alternate sites was conducted, and the economic implications of each alternative were determined. All but the site located on the east coast were found to cause abnormal flows on the benchmark system during single contingency conditions. This one exception, the Yabucoa site, required no changes or improvements to the network, while the other locations needed the addition of new circuits. The study revealed that with the OTEC plant located on the east coast where land-use policies in effect prohibit the construction of a fossil plant, significantly lower transmission losses resulted. An economic analysis showed that taken over the life of the plant, these savings could amount to over $30 million compared to the cost for energy losses in the Base Case. It may be inferred that a near optimal regional load-generation balance could be reached from the substitution of additional future fossil fuel units by OTEC units. Thus lowering transmission costs and gaining potential savings in land for plant sites and rights-of-way. This is a particularly attractive benefit in the light of severe land resource restraints in the island of Puerto Rico. In conclusion, it is recommended that the 400 MW OTEC Plant be located off Punta Guayanes, and that it be connected to the 230 KV substation at Yabucoa.

• Research Organization: Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, San Juan. Electrical Planning and Research Div.
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-79ET29147
• OSTI ID: 6274105
• Report Number(s): DOE/ET/29147-6; ON: DE83012233
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
ELECTRIC POWER
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