Ocean thermal energy to feed the power grids
The use of thermal gradients to operate ocean thermal power plants requires little in the way of new technology, and could supply a significant share of world energy if cost constraints can be overcome to make it competitive with fossil fuels and uranium. Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) must be cost-competitive to realize the potential for baseload electricity, which means finding the capital for investment in optimal coastal sites. Industry, utility, and shipowner consortia could finance the front-end capital with federal investment incentives providing impetus. Siting considerations include the possible reduction of its use downstream because of thermal effluents and effects on plants and the sea floor. OTEC power generation by closed-cycle system or open-cycle system both have some problems, but the important fact that the fuel is free outweighs inherent inefficiency concerns. Other applications besides power generation are the on-site manufacture of energy-intensive products. A continuing development program is testing progressively larger components and subsystems, countermeasures to control biofouling of the heat exchangers, and platform configurations. A prototype is needed to demonstrate OTEC's potential to supply power via submarine cable to developing countries and to offset the depletion of fossil fuels. 5 figures. (DCK)
- OSTI ID:
- 7065682
- Journal Information:
- Eng., Cornell Q.; (United States), Journal Name: Eng., Cornell Q.; (United States) Vol. 17:1; ISSN ECQUA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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CONVERSION
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY SYSTEMS
INTERCONNECTED POWER SYSTEMS
OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION
OCEAN THERMAL POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
POWER SYSTEMS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS