Write a short note on ocean thermal energy
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Ocean thermal energy conversion
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Worldmap highlighting oceanic regions with high temperature gradients (between surface and 1000m depth)
OTEC diagram and applications
Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) uses the temperature difference between cooler deep and warmer shallow or surface seawaters to run a heat engine and produce useful work, usually in the form of electricity. OTEC can operate with a very high capacity factor and so can operate in base load mode.
Among ocean energy sources, OTEC is one of the continuously available renewable energy resources that could contribute to base-load power supply.[1] The resource potential for OTEC is considered to be much larger than for other ocean energy forms [World Energy Council, 2000]. Up to 88,000 TWh/yr of power could be generated from OTEC without affecting the ocean’s thermal structure [Pelc and Fujita, 2002].
Systems may be either closed-cycle or open-cycle. Closed-cycle OTEC uses working fluids that are typically thought of as refrigerants such as ammonia or R-134a. These fluids have low boiling points, and are therefore suitable for powering the system’s generator to generate electricity. The most commonly used heat cycle for OTEC to date is the Rankine cycle, using a low-pressure turbine. Open-cycle engines use vapour from the seawater itself as the working fluid.
OTEC can also supply quantities of cold water as a by-product. This can be used for air conditioning and refrigeration and the nutrient-rich deep ocean water can feed biological technologies. Another by-product is fresh water distilled from the sea.[2]
Answer:
Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), form of energy conversion that makes use of the temperature differential between the warm surface waters of the oceans, heated by solar radiation, and the deeper cold waters to generate power in a conventional heat engine. The difference in temperature between the surface and the lower water layer can be as large as 50 °C (90 °F) over vertical distances of as little as 90 metres (about 300 feet) in some ocean areas. To be economically practical, the temperature differential should be at least 20 °C (36 °F) in the first 1,000 metres (about 3,300 feet) below the surface. In the first decade of the 21st century, the technology was still considered to be experimental, and thus far no commercial OTEC plants have been constructed.