OTEC thermal resource report for Dampier Land, Australia

Technical Report · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6150448· OSTI ID:6150448

Wolff, W. A.

The region off Dampier Land, Australia was selected for study as a potential OTEC site. The region examined was between 13--18/sup 0/ South latitude and 118--121/sup 0/ East longitude. Data coverage was sparse, but the existing data demonstrated a fine potential for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) use. The maximum temperature gradient remains relatively stable throughout the year. The annual average ..delta..T at 1000 meters is 22.6/sup 0/C. At 600 meters, an annual average ..delta..T greater than 20/sup 0/C is obtainable. The continental shelf off Dampier Land is very wide; thus, the distance to water 1500 meters deep may be as much as 480 kilometers (260 nautical miles). Water 1000 meters deep lies at least 265 kilometers (143 nautical miles) offshore. This distance is a major problem, perhaps necessitating the use of a plant ship. Tropical storms can be a problem between December and April. The ocean off Dampier Land has an upper mixed layer throughout the year. Currents are generally moderate, although the surface circulation pattern changes during the year.

• Research Organization: Ocean Data Systems, Inc., Monterey, CA (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 6150448
• Report Number(s): HCP/T2898-01/6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140800* -- Solar Energy-- Ocean Energy Systems
AUSTRALASIA
AUSTRALIA
COASTAL WATERS
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
CONTINENTAL SHELF
CONVERSION
CURRENTS
DEPTH
DIMENSIONS
DISASTERS
ENERGY CONVERSION
LAYERS
OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
OCEANOGRAPHY
SITE SELECTION
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
STORMS
SURFACE WATERS
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
WATER CURRENTS
WIND