Makai Seawater Air Conditioning Brochure 2015 - 9 - 17

MAKAI OCEAN ENGINEERING
Seawater Air Conditioning: A Basic Understanding

Introduction
Seawater Air Conditioning (SWAC) is an alternate-energy system that uses the cold
water from the deep ocean (and in some cases a deep lake) to cool buildings. In some
areas it is possible to reduce dramatically the power consumed by air conditioning (AC)
systems; SWAC can be a cost-effective and attractive investment. It is an alternate
energy for air conditioning.
This paper is an introduction to Seawater Air Conditioning; it describes the benefits, the
technology, the areas best suited for this form of energy, some example projects, the
economics and the key components of the systems.
Benefits of a SWAC System
The Seawater Air Condition Systems taps into a significant and highly valuable natural
energy resource that is available at some coastal locations. The benefits of a seawater
air conditioning system include:
 Large energy savings approaching 90%

 Proven technology
 Short economic payback period
 Environmentally friendly
 Costs are nearly independent of future energy price increases.
 No evaporative water consumption.
 Cold seawater availability for secondary applications.
Conventional Air Conditioning Basics
The schematic to the right illustrates a conventional air conditioning system for a large
building. A constant flow of cold fresh water is circulated throughout the building
(sometimes multiple buildings) for heat removal. As this chilled water moves
throughout the building and absorbs heat, its temperature rises from an incoming value
of approximately 7-8ºC to an outflow value approximately 5ºC higher. This warmer
water then enters the chiller.
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The chiller is a refrigeration system
that cools the recirculation water.
Water enters the chiller at a nominal
12-13C and exits at 7-8C. The
chiller consumes electricity as it
"pumps" heat from a cold source to a
warmer source. The total heat
removed from the building and the
electrical power consumed by the
chiller passes through the chiller's
condenser to a heat sink. The most
conventional means of eliminating this
excess heat is to use a cooling tower
that dumps the heat into the
atmosphere primarily through
evaporative cooling. Cooling towers consume fresh water; some chillers are air cooled
if fresh water is not economically available.
The energy requirements for a large building's air conditioning system are significant
and, depending upon the location, may be the dominant electrical load of the building.
The electrical requirement for conventional chiller operation and cooling is 0.9 to 1.3
kW/ton depending upon the location, cooling system, and age of the system.
Seawater Air Conditioning Concepts
Along many ocean coastlines and lake

Temperature Profile
shorelines, there is reasonable access to
naturally cold water that is as cold or colder 32
than the water used in conventional air 30

28
conditioning systems. If this water can be 26
Temperature, deg C.
tapped, then the significant power for 24
22
operating mechanical chillers to keep the 20
18
chilled water cold can be eliminated. 16
14
12
10
8
6
The adjacent temperature profile illustrates 4

2
the temperature vs depth that is typical for 0
the world’s tropical deep oceans in the

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
Depth, meters
summertime: 7C or below can be reached at
700m depth, 5C. or below at 1000m. The
deep-water portion of this profile changes little seasonally and therefore cold water is
available on a year round basis. In more northern climates, very cold water can be
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reached at shallower depths during the summer – in both oceans and in deep water
lakes.
The basic concept of seawater air conditioning is to take advantage of available deep
cold seawater to cool the chilled water in one or more buildings as opposed to using
more energy intensive refrigeration systems.
A seawater air conditioning system is illustrated below. The buildings to the far right
are identical internally to buildings cooled with conventional A/C. Chilled fresh water
moves through these buildings with the same temperatures and flows of conventional
systems. The seawater and chilled water pumps and heat exchangers would typically
be located at the shoreline in a cooling station.
The main components of a seawater air conditioning system are the seawater supply
system, the heat exchanger or cooling station and the fresh water distribution system.
These basic components can be optimized for each specific location, climate and
building.
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This schematic is an alternate view of a basic centralized seawater air conditioning
system. The chilled water loop is fresh water and operating at the same temperatures
as with conventional AC. The interior of the building is unchanged with SWAC
systems. The chilled water is kept cool through a heat exchanger with a counter flow of
deep cold seawater. The
heat exchanger is titanium to
eliminate corrosion and
fouling does not occur
because of the purity of the
deep seawater. Seawater is
brought to the site through a
deep-water polyethylene
pipeline. These pipelines
reach out several kilometers
offshore and have a nominal
intake depth of 700 m. The
effluent seawater is
discharged though a second
pipe at a depth of
approximately 40 m.
Seawater air conditioning is not technically complex nor is it a high technical risk. It is
established technology being applied in an innovative way. All the components
necessary exist and have been operated under the conditions required.
In some cases, it is either too costly or impractical to supply seawater at the necessary
low temperatures to maintain the required temperatures in the chilled water loop for
direct cooling with deep seawater. The distance offshore to reach sufficiently cold
water might be prohibitive or the ocean depth may simply not be available. In such
cases, there are two other methods to use seawater to reduce the energy costs
associated with air conditioning.
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Use of an Auxiliary Chiller: It
is sometimes economically
possible to use auxiliary
chillers to supplement the
cooling provided by the
seawater exposure. This is
illustrated at right. The fresh
chilled water is first cooled
by seawater through a heat
exchanger and then is
secondarily cooled with an
auxiliary chiller. The auxiliary
chiller is basically a
refrigeration system with its
condenser cooled by the
returning flow of cool
seawater. Alternatively, the
chiller’s condenser can be cooled by the return flow from the chilled water loop (not
shown). In either case, with a reduction in the condenser water temperature, the
auxiliary chiller can operate at higher efficiency – as high as double that of an air-
cooled conventional chiller.
Seawater Cooled Chiller: If a site with high air conditioning costs has no access to
cold seawater, near shore seawater can also be used to reduce air conditioning costs.
This is done by replacing an air-cooled or evaporative cooling tower cooled condenser
with seawater cooling. If the condensing temperature of a conventional chiller unit can
be reduced, energy savings will result. The amount of energy saved will depend upon
the change in condensing temperature. Shallow surface seawater will typically be
much cooler than the air, especially during the hottest time of year. Thus, an air-cooled
condenser can be replaced by seawater cooling and obtain 25% or more energy
savings. If the chiller uses an evaporative cooling tower for condenser cooling, usually
shallow seawater can both improve chiller performance and can eliminate the noise,
water demand and sewage fees associated with the evaporative cooling tower. The
figure below shows a schematic of a conventional chiller with its condenser cooled with
shallow surface seawater.
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Cold Storage: A SWAC system has a high capital cost and a low operating cost. The
peak capacity of the system must match the peak demand of the buildings that it
serves. These demands are not constant throughout the day or throughout the year,
and the total system is frequently not being used to its maximum capacity. Therefore,
capital dollars are spent on a system that may not always be used to its maximum
potential. A means of minimizing the capital cost is to use cold-water storage. Such a
system allows a smaller seawater air conditioning system to be installed and operated
100 percent of the time. When the building A/C demand is low, the excess capacity is
directed into a storage system of cold fresh water. When A/C demand is at its peak,
the cold water is drained from its storage to meet the demand.
Insulated cold water storage tanks are commercially available; the warm water remains
at the top and the coldest water remains at the bottom. These tanks are now used in
conjunction with conventional A/C systems to take advantage of low, off-peak electrical
rates.
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Environmental Aspects
A SWAC system has significant environmental benefits: These include drastic

reductions in electricity consumption which reduces air pollution and greenhouse gas
production, and substitution of simple heat exchangers for chiller machinery which
often use ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
The existence of the deep ocean heat sink results from natural climatic processes
where water is cooled at the poles, becomes dense and sinks to deeper water and
slowly moves toward the equator. The cold ocean is therefore both immense and
renewable.
Return water from a SWAC system can be handled in a number of ways. Typically it is
returned to the ocean at a location where the return water temperature nearly matches
the ambient water.
There are significant secondary applications for this seawater. Secondary cooling,
aquaculture, desalination and even agriculture can benefit from the cold seawater.
Aquaculturists value the water because it is clean and disease free. When used in
conjunction with a warm source of water, they can have any temperature seawater
their product needs. Secondary cooling can be used in greenhouses and other
locations where humidity control is not a major factor. Finally, research in Hawaii has
shown that even an arid land can be made highly productive with low fresh water
consumption by cooling the soil and the roots of many tropical and non-tropical plants.
Deep seawater is also desalinated and sold as a premium drinking water in Asian
markets.
Economic Viability
The economic viability of a SWAC system is site specific. Each location has unique
opportunities as well as problems. The main factors influencing the economic viability
of a specific location include:
 The distance offshore to cold water: shorter pipelines are more economical
than long pipelines.
 The size of the air conditioning load: there is an economy of scale associated
with SWAC – systems less than 2000 tons are more difficult to justify
economically,
 The percent utilization of the air conditioning system: The higher the utilization
throughout the year, the higher the direct benefits.
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 The local cost of electricity: A high cost of electricity makes conventional AC
more costly and SWAC, in comparison, more attractive. Any cost analysis
should include current and future costs of electricity.
 The complexity of the distribution system on shore: SWAC works best with a
district cooling arrangement, where many buildings are cooled taking
advantage of the economy of scale. SWAC is even more economical if this
distribution system is compact.
 The marine construction infrastructure: if marine contractors are available
locally, this will reduce offshore construction and mobilization costs.
The adjacent figure illustrates the difference in

Scenario A1, Levelized cost, lifetime costs for a conventional AC system and
Conventional vs SWAC
a typical SWAC system. The costs are broken
3500 down into capital, operating (energy) and
maintenance. The primary cost of a SWAC
3000
system is in the initial capital cost. The
operating and maintenance costs are small. For
Levelized $/ton/year
2500
2000 Energy a conventional AC system, the primary cost is

O&M in the power consumed over its lifetime. Hence,
1500
Capital SWAC systems are ideal for base load AC that
1000 has high utilization and conventional AC may
be better for situations of infrequent use.
500
0
A1 SWAC A1 Conv
It’s important to note that there is a

20-year Levelized A/C cost comparisons dramatic economy of scale as the
3,500 3500 size of the pipeline increases. The
3,000 3000
reason is that the cold water pipe
US Dollars/ton/year
costs per liter of water delivered

Peak Tons A/C
2,500 2500
decreases as the pipeline size
2,000 2000
increases and temperature rise via
1,500 1500
large pipelines is practically
1,000 1000
negligible. The figure to the right
500 500 illustrates five SWAC scenarios of
0 0 varying overall size; the two bars
1 2 3 4 5
SWAC
compare the lifetime cost difference
Scenarios Studied
Conv. A/C between conventional AC and
Peak Tons SWAC.
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Makai has performed SWAC feasibility studies of a variety of sites. Typical results are
that electrical consumption is reduced by 80 to 90 percent. Simple payback can be
from three to seven years, and long term costs can be half that of a conventional air
conditioning system. Not all locations, however, are ideal. Some have poor access to
deep cold-water sources or the overall size is too small to be economical. Each site is
unique.
Makai’s SWAC model (METHOD™)
For over 25 years, Makai has continuously developed custom software for modeling
the hydraulic and thermal aspects of fluid networks. The cost algorithms were recently
upgraded and now account for 160 various costs applied across a dozen of the key
construction steps for district cooling systems. This software have been used to model,
analyze, and design district cooling networks, and especially SWAC district cooling
systems. The model, called the Makai Economic, Thermal, and Hydraulic Optimization
and Design software, or METHOD™ software, takes into account all of the major
capital and operational costs for both systems and the complex interplay between the
sub-system designs and operational costs. This enables an “apples-to-apples”
economic comparison of district cooling versus an equivalent conventional A/C system.
Other financial metrics, such as payback period and rate of return of the district cooling
system, are also computed. The METHOD™ software consists of two components: an
engineering and an economic model. It considers the primary engineering and
economic parameters associated with a particular SWAC site, produces a conceptual
design, and provides a fair comparison of the cost of cooling provided by SWAC
versus conventional air conditioning.
In order to reduce the costs of a district cooling system, METHOD™ is used to design
and optimize components to minimize the overall levelized cost of cooling. The
software is particularly useful for providing quick and cost-effective “what if” analyses to
help the developer decide between possible design variations early in the project, such
as evaluating whether or not to add a nearby A/C customer to the network. Users can
instantly see the effect on levelized cost due to a change in the network. In the case of
a SWAC system, METHOD™ includes accurate costs for the offshore seawater pipes
that are derived from real construction projects – these are necessary to get an
accurate project cost, and are something only a firm with significant offshore pipeline
construction experience can offer. More than 25 years ago, Makai created the original
SWAC model, and our engineers have been improving its functionality ever since.
Engineering model: Starting from a few client-provided inputs, this software

determines a very basic conceptual design for a SWAC system that includes the
following components:
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• Offshore pipes (intake and return water)
• Pipeline Shore Crossing
• Seawater Pumping/Heat Exchanger Station
• Onshore Chilled Water Pump Station
• Onshore Chilled Water Distribution System
The software defines the parameters (e.g. sizes, lengths, flow rates, power
requirements, etc) for each of these major components.
Economic model: Once an initial conceptual design is complete, Makai uses the
software to assign a cost for the design, construction, operation and maintenance to
each component in the
SWAC system. The model
then runs an optimization
algorithm to minimize for
the levelized cost of
cooling. The optimized
design then produces a
cost estimate that allows a
fair economic comparison
between SWAC and
conventional air
conditioning, using a
levelized cost analysis.
Usually a SWAC system
must look significantly
better than a conventional
AC system solution before
Makai will recommend it.
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Makai’s economic model is based on an analytical procedure developed by the Electric
Power Research Institute (EPRI) in their Technical Assessment Guide [TAG]. The TAG
model is an economic analysis method of comparing two alternate energy systems
with different capital and operating costs.
One of the most important inputs to the economic model is the cost of the large and
unique offshore pipelines. Makai’s strength is our extensive experience and knowledge
of costs associated with constructing and installing large marine pipelines, as will be
discussed below. No other firm has such an intimate knowledge of the costs of these
unique submarine pipelines.
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SWAC History Highlights
The feasibility of using cold seawater to directly cool buildings has been studied and
analyzed for many years. At certain locations, successful installation and operation has
occurred. The following is a brief partial history of seawater air conditioning systems
around the world:
In 1975, the US Department of Energy funded a program entitled "Feasibility of a

District Cooling System Utilizing Cold Seawater." [Hirshman et al] Several locations
were studied and the two most favorable sites were Miami/Ft. Lauderdale and
Honolulu. The study, however, noted that one of the limiting technical factors was the
inability to deploy large diameter pipelines to depths of 1500' and more. This technical
challenge has since been addressed and demonstrated with Makai-designed deep-
water pipelines at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii, Keahole Point, Hawaii.
In 1980, the Naval Material Command at Port Hueneme, California, conducted a study
entitled: "Sea/Lake Water Air Conditioning at Naval Facilities." [Ciani]. Computer
models were developed which provided reasonable estimates of the capital cost and
energy use of seawater air conditioning systems at Point Mugu, California and Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii. The study concluded that: at a hypothetical typical Navy facility, a
SWAC system will use 80% less energy than conventional A/C, but the capital costs of
SWAC systems are 60% greater. The Life Cycle Cost of SWAC at a typical naval
facility would be 25% lower than the life cycle cost of conventional A/C.
In 1986, a joint project between the Canadian government and Purdy's Wharf
Development, Ltd. demonstrated the use of ocean water as a source for building
cooling to a 350,000 square ft. office complex along the waterfront in Halifax, Nova
Scotia. Due to the geographic conditions and annual low water temperatures, a small
diameter pipeline was deployed to a depth of less than 100' ft. This was a major factor
in limiting the overall expense of installing the cooling system. Total investment for this
project was $200,000. The project was very successful and savings were identified in
the following areas: a saving of $50-60,000 per year in avoided electrical cost, fewer
maintenance staff, reduction in fresh water, savings in water treatment, and savings in
cooling tower maintenance and replacement. The financial result in terms of a simple
payback period was two years. [Building Cooling] Today, Purdy's Wharf continues to
utilize successfully an expanded seawater air conditioning system for their waterfront
properties.
In 1986, the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority, Keahole Point, Hawaii
began the successful utilization of SWAC in their main laboratory building. Deep-water
pipelines were already installed to provide cold, nutrient rich, seawater for research
purposes in alternate energy and aquaculture. Since a cold water supply was already
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incorporated into the infrastructure, it was decided to utilize the cold water for cooling.
This proved to be a very sound economic decision that resulted in monthly electric
savings of $400. Today, the use of SWAC has been expanded to a new administration
building and a second laboratory. Estimated monthly saving in electricity is $2000.
In 1990, the US Department of Energy funded a study entitled: "Waikiki District Cooling
Utility." The purpose of this brief study was to evaluate whether it was economically
and technically feasible to utilize seawater air conditioning as a means to provide
cooling to the hotels in Waikiki and to create a Waikiki Cooling Utility. Waikiki was
targeted because of the high density of hotels, high electrical consumption and a large
demand for air conditioning. It was estimated by Hawaiian Electric Company that of the
107 Megawatts consumed in Waikiki, 51.4 Megawatts were used for air conditioning.
This study concluded that economically and technically, Waikiki could be cooled by
utilizing seawater air conditioning.
In 1995, Stockholm Energy started supplying properties in central Stockholm with

cooling from its new district cooling system. Most of the cooling is produced by using
cold water from the Baltic Sea. The temperature of the cooling water leaving the plant
is 6C or lower and the return temperature from the distribution grid is 16C at high
load and a few degrees lower at low load. The district cooling system is designed for a
maximum load of 60 MW.
In 1999, the Cornell Lake Source Cooling Project installed a 63” diameter pipeline into
nearby Lake Cayuga. This Makai-designed pipeline was 10,000 feet in length and
installed to a depth of 250’. Cold water from this pipeline, at approximately 4°, provides
air conditioning for the Cornell University Campus. This system is capable of providing
in excess of 20,000 tons of cooling; the system started operation in mid-2000.
In 2004, the Deep Water Cooling Project for Toronto, Canada, commenced cooling of
downtown Toronto with a peak capacity of 58,000 tons. Three 63” pipelines reach far
into Lake Ontario for both potable and cooling water for the city. Makai assisted in the
engineering of the deep water aspects of the pipeline designs for this project.
In 2004, Makai completed the design for a 450 ton SWAC system in French Polynesia
for a major hotel. Construction has been completed and the system has been in
operation since May 2006.
In 2006, a SWAC system design and planning is underway in the Caribbean for 3000
tons AC for a complex of hotels, meeting centers and university. This SWAC system
design was completed in 2008.
In 2008, a SWAC system design started for a very large SWAC systems to service a
district cooling system in downtown Honolulu, Hawaii. The design is completed, and it
is scheduled for construction in 2015.
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In 2011, Makai became a member of the International District Energy Association.
This organization promotes energy efficiency and environmental quality through the
advancement of district heating, district cooling and cogeneration.
Offshore Pipelines
The key cost and risk component of any
SWAC system is the offshore pipeline. The
lack of a low-cost methodology for the
installation of these pipelines prevented
SWAC development in the 1970’s and
80’s. Today, the technology for the
successful installation of pipelines to
depths of 3000’ and greater is available.
Numerous deep water intake pipelines
have been installed – nearly all of the
world’s successful pipes have been Makai
designs.
All of the deep seawater intake pipelines designed by

Makai have used polyethylene as the pipeline
material. Polyethylene has significant advantages for
these pipelines in that it is inert and will neither
corrode nor contaminate the water. Polyethylene
lengths are heat fused together to form a long,
continuous pipeline with joints that are as strong as
the pipeline itself. Polyethylene has excellent strength
and flexibility and is buoyant in water. These
characteristics allow a great deal of design flexibility
and deployment ease. The wall thickness can be
varied depending on strength requirements for
deployment and operating suction over the lifetime of
the pipe.
Makai's approach for a deep water pipe deployment is to minimize the time at-sea. The
pipeline is basically designed for the deployment process since this represents the
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major cost and risk of the installation. The pipeline is assembled complete on shore,
launched floating using the pipeline to support all anchors and fastenings, towed to the
site, and controllably submerged while carefully monitoring pipe tensions and
pressures. The procedure is stable and reversible.
The major risk to the pipeline is during deployment. These are standard marine
construction risks and would be covered by the installer’s insurance. Once deployed,
the likelihood of deep-water failure is very remote.
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SWAC and Offshore Pipeline Experience
A summary of some of Makai's previous experience in pipeline design, analysis and

deployment is listed below. Many of these pipelines have been for Seawater Air
Conditioning (SWAC) systems. More details and illustrations of key pipeline Makai
projects may be found on Makai’s webpage at www.makai.com, or upon request. A
complete list of SWAC studies performed by Makai is provided below.
1. Honolulu, Hawaii – SWAC, Active
Makai has completed the 80% final design

for Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning
LLC, (HSWAC) a subsidiary of Ever-Green
Energy of St. Paul, Minnesota. The overall
goal of this ambitious project is to provide
over 20,000 tons of air conditioning to
downtown Honolulu commercial and
government buildings. Makai is
responsible for the design of the 63”
(1.6m) diameter deep water intake pipeline
from 43’ (13m) depth to the intake depth at
1750’ (534m) stretching over a length of approximately 4.7mi (7.6km). Makai’s design
includes a companion shallow water return water discharge pipe. This project is
currently on hold until HSWAC is able to obtain 59% of the overall cooling load
signed to binding contractual agreements. This is the key element to the release of
construction funds.
2. Bahamas – SWAC, Active

Makai has completed the initial
pipeline engineering and a very
detailed offshore survey and route
selection for a pending SWAC
intake for the Bahamar Hotel. This
work was performed in 2011-12 for
OTE Corporation. This route survey
and route selection was the most
challenging ever performed by
Makai. The bottom terrain is
extremely rough with a vertical cliff,
steep slopes, sunken vessels,
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crisscrossing telecommunications cables, and no direct straight path. Makai selected
and analyzed an acceptable path for the 63” (1.6m) diameter HDPE pipeline down to
3,600’ (1100m) depth. This project is currently on hold pending a final engineering
contract with the system developer – OTE Corporation.
3. La Reunion – SWAC, Active

Since 2009 Makai has been working with
GDF Suez Energy Services at La Reunion
Island in the Indian Ocean. This pipeline is
for a 40 MW cooling load with a 63” (1.6m)
HDPE intake, a 1.4m discharge, 3,600’
(1100m) intake depth, and 5.5 km pipe
length. In 2011 Makai assisted with a
detailed bathymetric survey which used an
ROV. This project is in the preliminary design
phase and is moving forward a step at a time
as funds become available from the European Union and France; the operational
date is 2016.
4. Hawaii – 1 meter pipe repair, 2013

In 2011, Makai was contracted by the State of
Hawaii to perform final design and construction
oversight services for the repair of a deep water
40” (1.0m) diameter HDPE pipe at the Natural
Energy Laboratory of Hawaii (NELHA) located in
Kona, HI. The pipe, originally built for ten year
design life, has been in place for over 25 years.
The pipe design involves a 915m long floating
catenary section from 150m to 670m depth, and
several of the chain bridles restraining the pipe
had worn from corrosion and continuous motion
over the years. Makai simulated the current pipe
conditions using Orcaflex 3-dimensional finite
element software, simulated repair solutions, and
provided final design drawings and
specifications. In July 2013, repairs were
conducted and Makai provided on-site representation for our client, the State of
Hawaii. The repairs were successful, and post-repair measurements showed
excellent agreement with Makai’s model predictions and design specifications.
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5. TRNC Drinking Water Supply – 1.6 meter Pipe, 2013
In late 2013, Makai was contracted by a joint venture between Sigur Ros and Kalyon
Group to perform deployment analysis for the on-bottom portion of a 63” (1.6m)
diameter, 66 mile (107 km) long HDPE pipeline to transmit drinking water from the
Turkish mainland to the island of Cyprus (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus).
Makai performed pipe stress analysis, design of the holdfasts, pipe weights, and
bridle system, and final deployment analysis and guidelines. Here is a video of the
“project of the century”: http://youtu.be/sR0vAbRK7K0
6. Maldives, Hulhumale – SWAC, 2012

In 2011, Makai was contacted by Hitachi Plant
Technologies, Ltd to investigate a SWAC system on
the island of Hulhumale in the Republic of the
Maldives. The purpose of this study was a
conceptual level engineering assessment of the
potential and feasibility of building a deep water
intake pipeline, pump station, and discharge pipe
system to support a SWAC system defined by
Hitachi PT. Makai’s analysis and conceptual design,
completed in 2012, suggested that a SWAC system
with 900mm diameter intake pipeline would be an
economically desirable system. Makai
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recommended that Hitachi PT pursue development. However, Hitachi PT informed
Maki in 2012 that, due to government complications, the project was stalled, and they
were putting it on hold.
7. Curacao Piscadera - SWAC, 2008

In March of 2008, Makai completed the final
design for the deep seawater intake pipeline, the
return water pipeline and the pump station
mechanical plant for a seawater air conditioning
system to be built in the Piscadera region on the
Caribbean Island of Curacao. This 3000 ton air
conditioning system will supply cooling to 4
hotels and a power plant. A 36” (915mm), 3.7mi
(6km) long intake pipeline extending to an intake
depth of 2790’ (850m) has been designed; the
construction of this project was disrupted by the
financial crisis of 2008, and to date has not been
assumed by another developer.
8. French Polynesia – SWAC, 2006

Makai has engineered a complete SWAC system
for a resort in French Polynesia, supplying 450 tons
of AC. This demanding project involved a 6600’
(2000m) long deep seawater intake pipeline
extending to 2950’ (900m) depth on a seabed with
extremely steep slopes up to 60 degrees. The
design has a portion of the pipeline suspended off
of the seabed. This project was completed in 2006,
and has been in operation since May of that year.
See http://www.boraboraspa.interconti.com/
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9. Bahrain – Cooling Project, 2005
In 2005, Makai designed intake and discharge pipelines to provide seawater to the
Bahrain Diplomatic Area District Cooling Project’s air conditioning plant for condenser
cooling. Seawater drawn from the Arabian Gulf is slightly warmed and then returned
into near shore waters. The system, owned by Tabreed Bahrain, features a 63” (1.6
meter) diameter by 2240’ (683 meter) long intake pipeline, and a 55” (1.4 meter)
diameter by 5104’ (1556 meter) long outfall pipeline with a 20 port diffuser, operating at
a flow rate of 60,000 gallons per minute (3.79 m3/sec).
10. Everett, Washington – Outfall Pipeline, 2004

Makai designed the deep water portion of a 63” (1600mm)
diameter outfall pipeline for Kimberly-Clark Paper
Company and the City of Everett, Washington. This
pipeline delivered 70 MGD of treated municipal and
industrial wastewater to a depth of 350 feet (107m) in
Puget Sound. The total length of the deep water outfall
was 2741’ (836m) and included a 1550’ (472m) diffuser
section with 80 ports. The alignment included a 40 degree
bend right at toe of a steep submarine slope. Makai
devised a unique diffuser port plug design that allowed this
outfall to be installed using standard controlled
submergence techniques for deep water HDPE pipes, and
then allowed the diffuser ports to be quickly opened using
an inexpensive remotely operated vehicle. The pipeline
Page | 21

was installed in late 2003 and has been in service since the spring of 2004.
11. Toronto – Deep Lake Water Cooling, 2003

Makai performed significant
design aspects for the three
deep water intakes for
ENWAVE's Deep Lake Water
Cooling Project in Lake
Ontario, installed in 2003.
The deep intake pipes
provide cold water for a
district cooling system that
provides a max of 75,000
tons (264 megawatts) of air
conditioning load for
downtown Toronto. The new
system will provide water of
higher purity than is provided by the old intakes that obtained water from shallower
depths. Each HDPE pipeline is 5km long and 63” (1.6m) in diameter downtown
Toronto as well as the municipal drinking water system.
12. Hawaii – 1.4 M Intake Pipeline Design and Installation, 2001

Makai engineered the main seawater
supply source for the Hawaii Ocean Science
Technology Park (HOST Park) at Keahole
Point, Hawaii This supply system consists of a
cold-water pipeline that is 55” (1.4m) diameter,
3000’ (915m) deep, and 2 miles (3 km) long, a
55” (1.4m) diameter warm water intake pipe, a
tunneled shoreline crossing and a shore-
based pumping station. The system will
provide 27,000 gpm (1.7 m3/s) of 4-degree
Celsius water and over 40,000 gpm (2.5m3/s)
of warm water to the technology park. Two
micro-tunnels extend from shore to a breakout
point offshore at approximately 85’ (26m)
depth. The largest and deepest seawater
intake in the world, this pipeline earned a
major national award from the American
Society of Civil Engineers
Page | 22

13. Cornell University – Lake Source Cooling, 1999
Makai was selected by Gryphon International Engineering Services and Cornell
University to design a 63” (1.6m) diameter HDPE intake and a 48” (1.21m) diameter
outfall pipeline in Cayuga Lake, NY to provide 20,000
tons of centralized cooling for the university. The
intake pipeline is two miles long with an intake at 250’
(76m) depth. The pipeline provides 32,000 gpm
(2.0m3/s) of cold water and has a 75-year lifetime.
Deep pipe construction was completed in 1999 and
the operation of the air-conditioning system started in
2000. As the pioneer large SWAC-type system, Lake
Source Cooling has earned a trophy case full of
engineering and environmental awards.
Autumn tow of 63” (1.6m) pipeline for an air-conditioning intake at Cornell University
14. Hawaii – 1 meter Intake Pipeline Design and Installation, 1987

In a project with R.M. Towill Corporation, funded by the
State of Hawaii and the U.S. Department of Energy,
Makai was tasked with the design of a 40" polyethylene
cold water pipe to be used jointly by the Natural Energy
Laboratory and the Hawaii Ocean Science and
Technology (HOST) Park sites on the Big Island. It is
the largest deep-water intake pipeline in the world. This
pipe is a larger and more rugged version of the
previous Makai 12" pipe design at NELH and includes
a 3000' long buoyant section. Makai assisted in the
deployment of this pipe to a depth of 2200' in August
1987. It was the main source of water for the Natural
Energy Laboratory until 2005.
Page | 23

15. Hawaii – 460 mm Intake Pipeline
Design and Installation, 1987
Makai designed and provided construction
management for an 18" (0.46m) down-the-slope
cold-water intake at the Natural Energy Laboratory
of Hawaii. The goal to install a reliable, minimal
cost, deep-water intake system to 2200' (670m).
This polyethylene design differs from previous
NELH pipelines in that the deep water pipe is
buoyed approximately 40' (1.0m) off the bottom on
a series of pendants, the deployment was
accomplished without major offshore equipment.
This pipeline was successfully deployed in
October, 1987, and is still operational.
16. India – OTEC Pipeline, 1988
In 1988, Makai provided conceptual designs and

design guidance to the National Institute of
Ocean Technology (NIOT) in Madras, India, for in
OTEC intake pipeline and mooring system for a
floating OTEC research barge in the Indian
Ocean. This pipeline was 3.3’ (1m) in diameter
and was designed to provide water from a 3,300’
(1000m) depth.
17. Hawaii – 300 mm Intake Pipeline Design / Installation, 1981

Makai conceived, designed and managed the
construction of an experimental, down the slope
polyethylene OTEC pipeline, 12" (0.30m) in
diameter, for the State of Hawaii. This one mile
long pipeline has an intake at 2200' (670m) and
utilizes a unique 3000' (915m) long free floating
catenary section to avoid contact with the steep,
rocky bottom. The pipeline was installed in 1981
off Keahole Point, Hawaii. In spite of its
Page | 24

"temporary" design life of 2 years, it has survived many major storms including a
hurricane and was operational for over twelve years. This pipe was recovered in
November 2012 and will be reused as a seawater distribution pipe by the Natural
Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority.
18. Hawaii Mini-OTEC – vertically Suspended OTEC Pipeline, 1979
Makai engineered several portions of the Mini-OTEC

project under contract to Dillingham Corp. This project
was a full demonstration of Ocean Thermal Energy
Conversion (OTEC) and jointly funded by the State of
Hawaii, Lockheed, Dillingham and Alfa Laval. Makai
designed a 2' (610mm) diameter polyethylene pipe that
served not only as an intake pipe from a 2000' (610m)
depth, but also as the "mooring line" for the 120' x 35'
(37m x 11m) barge. The initial design for the barge
layout, seawater intakes (cold and warm), effluent lines,
and pumps was also done by Makai. Makai developed
and planned the deployment scheme and participated in
the at-sea deployment. On August 2, l979, Mini-OTEC
developed 50 kW of power and consumed 40 kW, for a
net positive output of l0 kW. This was the first time that
a positive output had been achieved from any OTEC facility.
Page | 25

Awards
2014, Leaders in Sustainability Finalist
Makai was nominated for Pacific Business News’ 2014 Business

Leadership Hawaii Awards – Hawaii’s premier business recognition
event of the year. Based on our outstanding work during the year,
PBN selected Makai as a finalist in the Leaders in Sustainability
award, recognizing a company that has made significant strides in
reducing energy use or conserving natural resources for itself or
other businesses.
ISO 9001:2008 Certification
Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc. has achieved ISO 9001:2008

certification, an internationally recognized standard for quality
management systems. The Certificate is only awarded to
companies that can demonstrate their ability to consistently provide
products and services that meet customer requirements, placing
customer satisfaction as a key component of those requirements.
APEC 2011 Hawaii Business Innovation Finalist
Makai was chosen as one of the 30 finalist among 2000 local

companies that competed to represent Hawaii at the 2011 Asia
Pacific Economic Cooperative (APEC) Summit. The criteria for
the award included business services or products that are
attractive to markets outside Hawaii, having developed unique,
leading and cutting-edge innovations in product development,
technology, marketing or delivery; having positively impacted
Hawaii's business environment, having growth and investment
potential; and having adopted environmentally sound programs
and practices.
Page | 26

Aon Grand Build America Award
Advanced American Construction, Inc. received the 2011 Aon

Build America Award from the Associated General Contractors
of America for their work constructing an innovative buoyant
HDPE sewage interceptor pipeline submerged in Lake Oswego,
Oregon. Makai assisted in the design and engineering analysis
of the pipeline.
2010 SBA Prime Contractor of the Year for Hawaii and Region IX
The Small Business Administration honored Makai Ocean

Engineering for their work in the Federal government
contracting arena. Makai was nominated for their "outstanding
performance, innovative solutions, professionalism, cost
effectiveness and on-time delivery by the federal agencies that
contracted their services.
2005 Compass Industrial Award
The Marine Technology Society awarded Makai with the

Compass Industrial Award for outstanding contributions to
advancement of the science and engineering of oceanography
and marine technology.
Page | 27

American Society of Civil Engineers
The American Society of Civil Engineers selected the HOST

Park Seawater Supply Pipeline, the world’s deepest large-
diameter seawater intake pipeline, as one of six finalists for
the 2003 Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement (OCEA)
Award. The survey, conceptual and final design, and
construction observation for this project was performed by
Makai Ocean Engineering.
Cornell’s Lake Source Cooling
The success of Cornell’s Lake Source Cooling Project has won three awards: the New
York State Society of Engineers, the Associated General Contractors of America, and
the International District Energy Association. Makai was responsible for the design
engineering of the two-mile long 63-inch cold-water intake pipe and the 48-inch
discharge pipe.
Page | 28

Contact Makai to discuss your SWAC Project
Makai has been working on SWAC projects consistently for more than 20 years. Our
database of worldwide site information and experience with successful SWAC
projects enables us to assess a site rapidly for its viability.
For those interested in developing SWAC systems, Makai provides a preliminary
opinion of viability free of charge. If the site looks promising, Makai will propose one
or more options for a SWAC feasibility study for your particular site that fits within
your budget.
Please contact us at the phone, email, or mailing address listed below.
Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc.
Website: www.makai.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (808) 259-8871

Fax: +1 (808) 259-8238
Physical address:
Makai Research Pier
41-305 Kalanianaole Hwy
Waimanalo, Hawaii, 96795 USA
Mailing Address:
PO Box 1206
Kailua, Hawaii, 96734 USA
Page | 29


Makai Seawater Air Conditioning Brochure 2015 - 9 - 17

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MAKAI OCEAN ENGINEERING

Seawater Air Conditioning: A Basic Understanding

Benefits of a SWAC System

 Large energy savings approaching 90%

Conventional Air Conditioning Basics

MAKAI OCEAN ENGINEERING P.O. Box 1206 PH (808) 259-8871 [email protected]

Seawater Air Conditioning Concepts

Along many ocean coastlines and lake

than the water used in conventional air 30

tapped, then the significant power for 24

operating mechanical chillers to keep the 20

The adjacent temperature profile illustrates 4

the world’s tropical deep oceans in the

MAKAI OCEAN ENGINEERING P.O. Box 1206 PH (808) 259-8871 [email protected]

MAKAI OCEAN ENGINEERING P.O. Box 1206 PH (808) 259-8871 [email protected]

MAKAI OCEAN ENGINEERING P.O. Box 1206 PH (808) 259-8871 [email protected]

MAKAI OCEAN ENGINEERING P.O. Box 1206 PH (808) 259-8871 [email protected]

MAKAI OCEAN ENGINEERING P.O. Box 1206 PH (808) 259-8871 [email protected]

A SWAC system has significant environmental benefits: These include drastic

MAKAI OCEAN ENGINEERING P.O. Box 1206 PH (808) 259-8871 [email protected]

The adjacent figure illustrates the difference in

2000 Energy a conventional AC system, the primary cost is

It’s important to note that there is a

costs per liter of water delivered

MAKAI OCEAN ENGINEERING P.O. Box 1206 PH (808) 259-8871 [email protected]

Makai’s SWAC model (METHOD™)

Engineering model: Starting from a few client-provided inputs, this software

MAKAI OCEAN ENGINEERING P.O. Box 1206 PH (808) 259-8871 [email protected]

MAKAI OCEAN ENGINEERING P.O. Box 1206 PH (808) 259-8871 [email protected]

MAKAI OCEAN ENGINEERING P.O. Box 1206 PH (808) 259-8871 [email protected]

In 1975, the US Department of Energy funded a program entitled "Feasibility of a

MAKAI OCEAN ENGINEERING P.O. Box 1206 PH (808) 259-8871 [email protected]

In 1995, Stockholm Energy started supplying properties in central Stockholm with

MAKAI OCEAN ENGINEERING P.O. Box 1206 PH (808) 259-8871 [email protected]

All of the deep seawater intake pipelines designed by

MAKAI OCEAN ENGINEERING P.O. Box 1206 PH (808) 259-8871 [email protected]

MAKAI OCEAN ENGINEERING P.O. Box 1206 PH (808) 259-8871 [email protected]

A summary of some of Makai's previous experience in pipeline design, analysis and

1. Honolulu, Hawaii – SWAC, Active

Makai has completed the 80% final design

2. Bahamas – SWAC, Active

MAKAI OCEAN ENGINEERING P.O. Box 1206 PH (808) 259-8871 [email protected]

3. La Reunion – SWAC, Active

4. Hawaii – 1 meter pipe repair, 2013

MAKAI OCEAN ENGINEERING P.O. Box 1206 PH (808) 259-8871 [email protected]

6. Maldives, Hulhumale – SWAC, 2012

MAKAI OCEAN ENGINEERING P.O. Box 1206 PH (808) 259-8871 [email protected]

7. Curacao Piscadera - SWAC, 2008

8. French Polynesia – SWAC, 2006

MAKAI OCEAN ENGINEERING P.O. Box 1206 PH (808) 259-8871 [email protected]

10. Everett, Washington – Outfall Pipeline, 2004

MAKAI OCEAN ENGINEERING P.O. Box 1206 PH (808) 259-8871 [email protected]

11. Toronto – Deep Lake Water Cooling, 2003

12. Hawaii – 1.4 M Intake Pipeline Design and Installation, 2001

MAKAI OCEAN ENGINEERING P.O. Box 1206 PH (808) 259-8871 [email protected]

14. Hawaii – 1 meter Intake Pipeline Design and Installation, 1987

MAKAI OCEAN ENGINEERING P.O. Box 1206 PH (808) 259-8871 [email protected]

16. India – OTEC Pipeline, 1988