Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) utilizes the natural temperature difference in tropical regions to generate electricity. The idea of using the ocean to generate electricity was proposed by a French physicist by the name of Jacques Arsene d'Arsonval in 1881. Georges Cluade who was one of d'Arsonval students, built the first OTEC power plant in Cuba. Cluade also built a second power plant in 1935 on a 10,000 ton cargo ship which was moored off the coast of Brazil. Unfortunate events with weather and waves caused both facilities to be destroyed before either could be net generators. The United States became interested in OTEC technology in 1974 and built the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority which is one of the worlds top research and test facilities of OTEC technology. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion is not the global solution to the energy crisis but is a possible solution for tropical region's energy issues.
There are three types of OTEC systems which are closed-cycle, open-cycle, and hybrid cycle. The closed-cycle system utilizes warm surface sea water that is heated by the sun that is pumped into a heat exchanger, where the seawater vaporizes the low point boiling fluid. The vapor then turns the turbo generator, which generates the electricity. Then cold deep seawater is sent through a second heat exchanger, which condenses the vapor back into its liquid state that is recycled through the system.
The second OTEC system is the open cycle system. The open cycle system utilizes the tropical oceans natural warm salt water to generate electricity. The warm seawater is pumped into a low-pressure container where it boils, which the steam then drives the turbine which is attache...
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...e OTEC structures are massive. And not only money is the issue, but pipes have to be wide, extend thousands of feet into the ocean and the salt water corrodes the pipes. The maintenance on these pipes and structures would be costly in the long run.
The other factor that play a role in the OTEC systems is mother nature. Tropical storms could destroy these structures, and many are not willing to risk investing millions of dollars on a chance they could lose it all.
The Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion systems might not be able to replace all fossil fuel dependency but they can partially replace our dependency. It all boils down to one thing that deters the advancement of alternative energy resources; money. The OTEC system can be the way of the future of alternative energy at least for tropical regions, if the world provides financial backing to the OTEC system.
Clark, W. W & Cook, G (2012). Global Energy Innovation. Santa Barbara, California: Praeger, an Imprint of ABC-CLIO, LLC.
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