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Title: An Evaluation of the Large-Scale Implementation of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Using an Ocean General Circulation Model with Low-Complexity Atmospheric Feedback Effects

Abstract

Previous investigations of the large-scale deployment of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversions (OTEC) systems are extended by allowing some atmospheric feedback in an ocean general circulation model. A modified ocean-atmosphere thermal boundary condition is used where relaxation corresponds to atmospheric longwave radiation to space, and an additional term expresses horizontal atmospheric transport. This produces lower steady-state OTEC power maxima (8 to 10.2 TW instead of 14.1 TW for global OTEC scenarios, and 7.2 to 9.3 TW instead of 11.9 TW for OTEC implementation within 100 km of coastlines). When power production peaks, power intensity remains practically unchanged, at 0.2 TW per Sverdrup of OTEC deep cold seawater, suggesting a similar degradation of the OTEC thermal resource. Large-scale environmental effects include surface cooling in low latitudes and warming elsewhere, with a net heat intake within the water column. These changes develop rapidly from the propagation of Kelvin and Rossby waves, and ocean current advection. Two deep circulation cells are generated in the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific basins. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is reinforced while an AMOC-like feature appears in the North Pacific, with deep convective winter events at high latitudes. Transport between the Indo-Pacific and the Southern Ocean is strengthened, withmore » impacts on the Atlantic via the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC).« less

Authors:
 [1];  [2];  [3]
+ Show Author Affiliations
  1. Univ. of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI (United States). International Pacific Research Center
  2. Univ. of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI (United States). Dept. of Ocean and Resources Engineering
  3. Univ. of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI (United States). Hawaii Natural Energy Inst.
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Univ. of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1507789
Grant/Contract Number:  
FG36-08GO18180
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 6; Journal Issue: 1; Journal ID: ISSN 2077-1312
Publisher:
MDPI
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER; Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion; OTEC; ocean general circulation model

Citation Formats

Jia, Yanli, Nihous, Gérard, and Rajagopalan, Krishnakumar. An Evaluation of the Large-Scale Implementation of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Using an Ocean General Circulation Model with Low-Complexity Atmospheric Feedback Effects. United States: N. p., 2018. Web. doi:10.3390/jmse6010012.
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Jia, Yanli, Nihous, Gérard, & Rajagopalan, Krishnakumar. An Evaluation of the Large-Scale Implementation of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Using an Ocean General Circulation Model with Low-Complexity Atmospheric Feedback Effects. United States. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse6010012
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Jia, Yanli, Nihous, Gérard, and Rajagopalan, Krishnakumar. Mon . "An Evaluation of the Large-Scale Implementation of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Using an Ocean General Circulation Model with Low-Complexity Atmospheric Feedback Effects". United States. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse6010012. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1507789.
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@article{osti_1507789,
title = {An Evaluation of the Large-Scale Implementation of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Using an Ocean General Circulation Model with Low-Complexity Atmospheric Feedback Effects},
author = {Jia, Yanli and Nihous, Gérard and Rajagopalan, Krishnakumar},
abstractNote = {Previous investigations of the large-scale deployment of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversions (OTEC) systems are extended by allowing some atmospheric feedback in an ocean general circulation model. A modified ocean-atmosphere thermal boundary condition is used where relaxation corresponds to atmospheric longwave radiation to space, and an additional term expresses horizontal atmospheric transport. This produces lower steady-state OTEC power maxima (8 to 10.2 TW instead of 14.1 TW for global OTEC scenarios, and 7.2 to 9.3 TW instead of 11.9 TW for OTEC implementation within 100 km of coastlines). When power production peaks, power intensity remains practically unchanged, at 0.2 TW per Sverdrup of OTEC deep cold seawater, suggesting a similar degradation of the OTEC thermal resource. Large-scale environmental effects include surface cooling in low latitudes and warming elsewhere, with a net heat intake within the water column. These changes develop rapidly from the propagation of Kelvin and Rossby waves, and ocean current advection. Two deep circulation cells are generated in the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific basins. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is reinforced while an AMOC-like feature appears in the North Pacific, with deep convective winter events at high latitudes. Transport between the Indo-Pacific and the Southern Ocean is strengthened, with impacts on the Atlantic via the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC).},
doi = {10.3390/jmse6010012},
journal = {Journal of Marine Science and Engineering},
number = 1,
volume = 6,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Jan 22 00:00:00 EST 2018},
month = {Mon Jan 22 00:00:00 EST 2018}
}
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Journal Article:
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Publisher's Version of Record
https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse6010012
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Cited by: 9 works
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Figures / Tables:

Figure 1 Figure 1: Time history of global ocean temperature from MITgcm with different ocean-atmosphere thermal boundary conditions.
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    Works referencing / citing this record:

    Assessment of extreme and metocean conditions in the Maldives for OTEC applications
    journal, August 2019

    • Rinaldi, Giovanni; Crossley, George; Mackay, Ed
    • International Journal of Energy Research
    • DOI: 10.1002/er.4762
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      Figures / Tables found in this record:

      Figure 1 (p. 3)figure
      Figure 2 (p. 9)figure
      Figure 3 (p. 10)figure
      Table 1 (p. 11)table
      Figure 4 (p. 12)figure
      Figure 5 (p. 13)figure
      Figure 6 (p. 14)figure
      Figure 7: Part 1 (p. 16)figure
      Figure 7: Part 2 (p. 16)figure
      Figure 7: Part 3 (p. 16)figure
      Figure 8 (p. 19)figure
      Figure 10 (p. 21)figure
      Figure 9 (p. 21)figure
      Figure 11 (p. 23)figure
      Figure A1 (p. 26)figure
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