Apr 17 2010
Owens Corning, a producer of glass fiber reinforcements, is presenting its XStrand glass fibers having high performance at the composite materials trade show JEC Composites. The glass fibers will be utilized in a project exhibiting the deployment of modern composite technology for power generation from ocean’s thermal energy.
Recently, Lockheed Martin received an agreement contract from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for demonstrating a pipe fabrication process utilizing modern manufacturing methods and composite technology at both pilot plant and prototype scales. To this end, Owens Corning will supply Lockheed Martin with XStrand glass fibers, which will be employed deep under the ocean.
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) produces electrical energy by taking advantage of the difference in temperatures between deep cold water and warm surface water. The program manager of OTEC for Lockheed Martin Dennis Cooper commented that OTEC plays a key role in providing clean electrical energy to markets that solely depend on fossil fuels. However, one of the technical hindrances to the successful operation of the OTEC system is the installation and fabrication of coldwater piping having large diameter.
As per the terms of the agreement contract valued at $1.2 million, Lockheed Martin will exhibit a pipe fabrication process utilizing composite manufacturing methods and modern fiberglass technology. The Advanced Technology Center of Lockheed Martin located in Sunnyvale, California, will be used to carry out the fabrication work. Furthermore, Constructed Facilities Center of West Virginia University will offer its support to the project.
For supporting the early-stage development work on the project, Owens Corning conducted corrosion and fatigue testing in its Science and Technology Center located at Granville, Ohio. Moreover, the company provided small composite components and XStrand glass fibers for conducting aggressive performance testing at the same location.