Ocean thermal energy conversion programmatic environmental analysis
OTEC technology is reviewed and the existing environment of potential sites is described. The geology, oceanography, and economic profiles of these oceanic, subtropical-tropical regions are studied. The atmospheric effects of releases, particularly carbon dioxide, and sea-surface cooling, and associated climatic effects are projected. Land effects of the construction of plants and transmission cable entry points, and the marine ecosystem impacts caused by the attraction of organisms to the platform, intake and discharge of seawater and discharge of biocides are discussed. The health and safety hazards associated with OTEC, particularly regarding releases of Freon or ammonia, are assessed. Legal and regulatory aspects are discussed. Alternatives considered include the choice of power cycle (open or closed), platform configuration (land-based, moored, or plant-ship), seawater discharge design (separate or mixed releases) and intended power use (baseload electricity or at-sea production of ammonia or aluminum). 331 references. (LEW)
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA); Interstate Electronics Corp., Anaheim, CA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 6325591
- Report Number(s):
- LBL-10511-Vol.1; ON: DE81030222
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
140400 -- Solar Energy-- Environmental Aspects
140800* -- Solar Energy-- Ocean Energy Systems
AIR POLLUTION
AMMONIA
BIOLOGICAL FOULING
CONVERSION
ECONOMY
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENTRAINMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FOULING
FREONS
GEOLOGY
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IMPINGEMENT
LAND USE
LEGAL ASPECTS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
OCEANOGRAPHY
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
RISK ASSESSMENT
SAFETY
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
TROPICAL REGIONS
WATER POLLUTION