Green Power At Sea - OTEC

November 20th, 2007 · Comments - by John -

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OTEC, or ocean thermal energy conversion, is an energy technology that converts solar radiation to electric power. OTEC systems use the ocean’s natural thermal gradient—the fact that the ocean’s layers of water have different temperatures—to drive a power-producing cycle. As long as the temperature between the warm surface water and the cold deep water differs by about 20°C (36°F), an OTEC system can produce a significant amount of power. The oceans are thus a vast renewable resource, with the potential to help us produce billions of watts of electric power.

Ocean's Thermal Gradient Map The economics of energy production today have delayed the financing of a permanent, continuously operating OTEC plant. However, OTEC is very promising as an alternative energy resource for tropical island communities that rely heavily on imported fuel. OTEC plants in these markets could provide islanders with much-needed power, as well as desalinated water and a variety of mariculture products.

Also if your looking for video, presentations or image files on renewable energy at sea be sure to check out the World Ocean Observatory’s Multimedia Page.

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Captain John Konrad is co-founder of Unofficial Networks and Editor In Chief of this blog. He is a USCG licensed Master Mariner of Unlimited Tonnage and, since graduating from SUNY Maritime College, has sailed a variety of ships from ports around the world. He currently lives in Morro Bay, California with his wife and two children.
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Categories: Environment · Marine Technology · Offshore · Video

Tags: · alternative_energy_resource, deep_water, desalinated_water, energy_production, energy_technology, Environment, island_communities, mariculture, Marine Technology, ocean_thermal_energy, ocean_thermal_energy_conversion, Offshore, otec_plant, otec_plants, otec_system, renewable_resource, solar_radiation, thermal_energy_conversion, thermal_gradient, tropical_island, Video, warm_surface_water, youtube

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KPSAILOR 10 months ago 1 point
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This is a great threory. Though the claims of reducing emissions are true, there are still considerations to be made in changes that will be experienced to the environment which have the potential to be an even more direct and damaging impact.

One consideration will be the effect of the local currents with in that area. Depending on the changes in temperature and the eifficency of this unit, it could greatly affect the local currents having a massive effect on the local marine environment.

I understand, this may be a little extreme, but I feel it must be discussed and considered.

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http://www.martinottaway.com

Thomas Bjelkeman-Pettersson 10 months ago 1 point
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To find out the latest about OTEC developments, read: http://www.otecnews.org/

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http://www.otecnews.org/

John 10 months ago 1 point
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Great resource, thanks Thomas.

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