Dutch offshore contractor Allseas has entered the renewables market. It is not the offshore wind industry the company is targeting. Instead, Allseas has acquired Bluerise, a specialist developer of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) technology.

Bluerise has been researching and developing OTEC technology for 9 years, designing systems that utilise the natural temperature difference in the ocean between cold deep water (5°C) and warm surface water (25°C) to generate clean electricity.

The technology generates energy by harnessing the heat in ocean surface water to evaporate liquids with a low boiling point, such as ammonia. The vapour is used to drive a turbine that generates electricity. After the vapour transfers its energy, a heat exchanger condenser cools the vapour and turns it back into liquid. A  pump then conveys it back to the evaporator to repeat the cycle.

With the takeover, Allseas want to bring the OTEC concepts to market. “Allseas will use its offshore expertise and record of deep-water technologies to advance Bluerise concepts and accelerate the implementation of OTEC technology for renewable energy projects,” the company states. 

Allseas mostly works within the oil and gas industry. It does offer solutions to the offshore wind industry as well, but within that industry, it focuses mainly on the installation of high-voltage converter platforms, as platform installation and removal is one the company’s specialisms. By acquiring Bluerise the company now says it also wants to foster the use of renewable energy resources. “OTEC, with its vast offshore energy potential and scalability, matches well with the company’s capabilities,” it states.