Potential environmental consequences of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) plants. A workshop

Conference · Fri May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:6603313

Walsh, J. J. ^[1]

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1. ed.

The concept of generating electrical power from the temperature difference between surface and deep ocean waters was advanced over a century ago. A pilot plant was constructed in the Caribbean during the 1920's but commercialization did not follow. The US Department of Energy (DOE) earlier planned to construct a single operational 10MWe Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plant by 1986. However, Public Law P.L.-96-310, the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Research, Development and Demonstration Act, and P.L.-96-320, the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Act of 1980, now call for acceleration of the development of OTEC plants, with capacities of 100 MWe in 1986, 500 MWe in 1989, and 10,000 MWe by 1999 and provide for licensing and permitting and loan guarantees after the technology has been demonstrated.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• OSTI ID: 6603313
• Report Number(s): CONF-800154-
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140400* -- Solar Energy-- Environmental Aspects
CONVERSION
CURRENTS
DIFFUSION
DISSOLVED GASES
ECOLOGY
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FLUIDS
FOOD CHAINS
GASES
MEETINGS
NUTRIENTS
OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
PLUMES
RECOMMENDATIONS
SEAS
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
SURFACE WATERS
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
WATER CURRENTS