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Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) uses the difference in temperature between surface seawater and deep down seawater to generate electricity. It is a clean, renewable energy source that has the potential to free many economies from their dependence on oil.
How a closed system works:
- Warm surface water is hot enough to boil a fluid with a low boiling point, such as ammonia.
- The gas from the boiling fluid creates enough pressure to drive a turbine that generates electricity.
- The gas is then cooled by passing it through cold water pumped up from the ocean depths.
- The gas condenses back into a liquid that can be used again.
- The water is returned to the deep ocean.
How an open system works:
- Warm surface sea water is pumped into a low pressure vacuum chamber (1% to 3% atmospheric pressure).
- The water boils and the steam drives a turbine and generates electricity.
- Cold deep level water cools the steam into fresh (desalinated) water, suitable for drinking or irrigation.
How a hybrid system works:
- Warm surface sea water is pumped into a vacuum chamber, as above.
- The water steam boils ammonia in a heat exchange.
- The ammonia gas (steam) produces electricity.
- Cold deep level water cools both systems and produces liquid ammonia which is then used again, and desalinated water.
There are pilot plants running in Hawaii and many other places round the world. As the price of fossil fuel rises this technology becomes more and more attractive and economical. A lot of energy is used in these processes so the most suitable places need to:
- Have easy access to cold water
- Have easy access to warm water
- Have safe sheltered locations from storm and surf
- Be close to the electricity grid
What else can I help you with?
What is oceanic thermal energy?
Oceanic thermal energy refers to the energy derived from the temperature differences that exist between warmer surface waters and cooler deep waters in the ocean. This temperature gradient can be harnessed to generate electricity using technologies such as Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC). By utilizing the temperature difference, OTEC systems can produce clean and renewable energy.
What is the process that extracts heat from seawater?
OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Generation) works under the principle of differential temperature of the ocean in its latitude by the solar heating of the oceans on the surface (250C & more)and depth (500-100 feet at 00C). Thermal gradient temperature upto 220 C and higher can be exploited The energy is derived by the heat loss in the cooling water when warm water vaporises ammonia to steam to drive the turbine to generate electricity. An effeciency of 6.7%- 7% can yield 32 mega watts power.
Ocean thermal energy conversion OTEC is a process that uses heat engines to convert differences in ocean water temperature into energy?
mechanical
What is oceanic thermal energy?
Oceanic thermal energy refers to the energy derived from the temperature differences that exist between warmer surface waters and cooler deep waters in the ocean. This temperature gradient can be harnessed to generate electricity using technologies such as Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC). By utilizing the temperature difference, OTEC systems can produce clean and renewable energy.
Where does ocen thermal energy come from?
Ocean thermal energy comes from the heat stored in the sun-warmed surface layers of the ocean. The temperature difference between the warm surface water and the cold deeper water is harnessed to generate electricity using ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) systems.
Can the difference in ocean pressures be used to create energy?
Yes, the difference in ocean pressures can be used to generate energy through a technology called ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC). OTEC takes advantage of the temperature difference between warm surface water and cold deep water to drive a power cycle that can produce electricity.
What has the author David L Thomas written?
David L. Thomas has written: 'A review of water intake screening options for coastal water users with recommendations for ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) plants David L. Thomas, Ichtyological Associates, inc' -- subject(s): Ocean thermal power plants
What are the ultimate sources of ocean thermal energy?
Actually ocean thermal energy is being used in all the cold and icy places called Alaska and Antarctica because Ocean thermal is the difference between cold and warm waters. so that is important because when the water is warm it will melt and causes global warming.And the earth will be a flooded area and that is really dangerous.
What are some disadvantages of OTEC?
some of the disadvantages of OTEC are given below:OTEC requires a lot of capital investmentdue to small temperature difference between the surface water and the deep water, the conversion efficiency is low(3%-4%)
What is the process that extracts heat from seawater?
OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Generation) works under the principle of differential temperature of the ocean in its latitude by the solar heating of the oceans on the surface (250C & more)and depth (500-100 feet at 00C). Thermal gradient temperature upto 220 C and higher can be exploited The energy is derived by the heat loss in the cooling water when warm water vaporises ammonia to steam to drive the turbine to generate electricity. An effeciency of 6.7%- 7% can yield 32 mega watts power.
What is Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion - OTEC?
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) takes advantage of the difference in temperature between surface seawater and deep down seawater to generate electricity.In a closed system, a liquid like ammonia, with a low boiling point, is made to boil using warm surface water. The gas released drives electricity generators. Cold deep water is then used to cool the gas back to liquid form, and the process begins again.In an open system, warm sea water is pumped into a partial vacuum, where it immediately boils. The steam is used to drive generators, or to heat ammonia to drive generators. Cold deep water is again used for cooling and the process cycles on. One advantage of the open system is that it produces desalinated (fresh) water that can be used for drinking or irrigation.Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion is a clean, renewable energy source that has the potential to provide pollution-free electricity.To see how the OTEC cycle works, and also see where it's gaining more attention around the world visit The On Project at the link below.
What is the major source of energy on earth from the sun?
The energy from the ocean is the major recipient of solar energy. And in turn, the energy from the ocean is also the major source of energy here on earth. Ocean energy takes three major forms: wave energy, tidal energy, and thermocline energy, popularly called ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC)
What are the disadvantantage of ocean thermal energy?
Some disadvantages of ocean thermal energy include high initial costs for infrastructure, limited availability of suitable sites for OTEC plants, potential environmental impacts on marine ecosystems, and technical challenges in transmitting energy from offshore plants to onshore grids.
What has the author Mark Bushnell written?
Mark Bushnell has written: 'Ocean optical data from potential OTEC sites in the Gulf of Mexico' -- subject(s): Optical oceanography, Ocean thermal power plants 'It happened in Vermont' -- subject(s): History, Anecdotes
