Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Facts

Ocean thermal energy conversion otec form of energy conversion that makes use of the temperature differential between the warm surface waters of the oceans heated by solar radiation and the deeper cold waters to generate power in a conventional heat engine.

Ocean thermal energy conversion facts. Ocean thermal energy conversion otec systems use a temperature difference of at least 77 fahrenheit to power a. In tropical regions surface water can be much warmer than deep water. Pipes are used to bring large volumes of colder water up from the depths while warmer water is also drawn into the otec plant from the ocean surface. The difference in temperature between the surface and the lower water layer can be as large as 50 c 90 f over vertical.

The denser cold water masses formed by ocean surface water interaction with cold atmosphere in. Ocean thermal energy conversion otec uses the ocean thermal gradient between cooler deep and warmer shallow or surface seawaters to run a heat engine and produce useful work usually in the form of electricity otec can operate with a very high capacity factor and so can operate in base load mode. If a pipe is put down into the ocean we can bring the. Ocean thermal energy conversion is one of the renewable energy sources in the world.

This temperature difference can be used to produce electricity and to desalinate ocean water. The energy is gained from the different temperature in the ocean. Energy from the sun heats the surface water of the ocean. Many oceans are very deep and the water at depths of 1 000 meters can be around 5 c.

Although this temperature difference generally. Ocean thermal energy conversion otec uses the temperature difference that exists between deep and shallow ocean water to run a heat engine. Together the warm ocean surface and the cool deep water can generate heat.