---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 9003"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "9003"
heading: "Research and development"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/9003"
units:
  - "Chapter 98 — Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Research and Development"
---

# §9003. Research and development

- (a) **Initiation of research—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/9008.md?p=3) shall initiate research or accelerate existing research in areas in which the lack of knowledge limits development of [ocean thermal energy conversion](/usc/42/9008.md?p=1) systems in order to achieve the purposes of this chapter.
- (b) **Evaluations, tests, and dissemination of information, data, and materials—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/9008.md?p=3) shall conduct evaluations, arrange for tests, and disseminate to developers information, data, and materials necessary to support the design efforts undertaken pursuant to [section 9004 of this title](/usc/42/9004.md). Specific technical areas to be addressed shall include, but not be limited to—
  - (1) interface requirements between the platform and cold water pipe;
  - (2) cold water pipe deployment techniques;
  - (3) heat exchangers;
  - (4) control system simulation;
  - (5) stationkeeping requirements; and
  - (6) energy delivery systems, such as electric cable or energy product transport.
- (c) **Consideration of new or improved technologies—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/9008.md?p=3) shall, for the purpose of performing his responsibilities pursuant to this chapter, solicit proposals and evaluate any reasonable new or improved technology, a description of which is submitted to the [Secretary](/usc/42/9008.md?p=3) in writing, which could lead or contribute to the development of [ocean thermal energy conversion](/usc/42/9008.md?p=1) system technology.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 96–310, § 4, July 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 943.)