OTEC thermal resource report for Mombasa
The coastal waters off Mombassa, Kenya were selected for study for their potential for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) use. The area examined is located in the southwestern equatorial region. The data file was searched between 40--45/sup 0/ East longitude and between 5/sup 0/ South latitude and 3/sup 0/ North latitude. The area south of the equator was examined separately from the area north of the equator. A usable thermal resource exists for both the northern and southern sections examined. The Mombassa site compares unfavorably with most of the other 10 sites studied under this contract if ..delta..T is used as the only criteria. An annual average ..delta..T of 20/sup 0/C is not reached until a depth of 1100 meters in the northern section, and at 1000 meters in the southern section. The average of the monthly mean ..delta..Ts at 500 meters is 17.0/sup 0/C in the north section and 17.6/sup 0/C in the southern section. The thermal resource is definitely better in the southern position. There is a mixed layer throughout the year that is advantageous for OTEC development. Winds and storms are not a problem for the site. Low sea and swell conditions are characteristic. Surface current conditions are fairly complicated. The distance from shore to the 1000 meter depth varies, depending on what latitude is chosen for the site. One thousand meter depths are between 30 and 130 kilometers (approx. = 18 and 70 nautical miles) from land.
- Research Organization:
- Ocean Data Systems, Inc., Monterey, CA (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- ET-78-C-01-2898
- OSTI ID:
- 6150498
- Report Number(s):
- HCP/T2898-01/4
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
OTEC thermal resource report for Manila, Philippine Islands
OTEC thermal resource report for Dampier Land, Australia