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Title: Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion: A Viable Green Energy Source Author:
Kyle Evans-Lee Abstract: The Earth receives most of its energy from
the sun, and as solar energy is transmitted through the atmosphere it is
efficiently collected and stored in the surface layer of the ocean. The
majority of the stored energy is stored in vertical ocean gradients near the
ocean surface layer (Huang, 2003, pg.158). In Tropical regions of the world
it is viable to use this temperature gradient in the water for the purpose of
energy production. This thermal energy which is replenished daily represents
a tremendous pollution-free energy resource (Cohen, 1985, pg. 405). Ocean
Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) technology refers to a mechanical system
that utilizes the natural temperature gradient that exists between the warm
surface layer and the deep cold water. By pumping Cold water from depths of
over 1000m and collecting ambient surface water one can use the temperature
gradient found in the water to extract the stored solar energy (NHEL 2008).
In a system much like the heat exchanger in a coal fueled plant; one can
extract the energy held in the natural temperature gradient to create
electricity. Additionally byproducts of this energy extraction process may
also be commercially viable: Hydrogen, air-conditioning, ice, aquaculture and
mericulture ect layer (Huang, 2003, pg.174). Large quantities of water and ocean nutrients for
fertilizer are also produced making the OTEC system especially viable in
developing nations (NHEL 2008). In this paper I will examine the technology,
evaluate costs and effectiveness, asses the general market environment for
the OTEC system and describe its great renewable energy potential for the
nations of the world. Key References: Joseph
C Huang, Hans J Krock and Stephen Oney, January 2003 Revisit
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion. University of Manoa,
Feb 2008 http://www.springerlink.com/content/n864l3217156h045/fulltext.pdf Berger LR,
Berger JA.
1986 Jun Department of Microbiology, Countermeasures
to Microbiofouling in Simulated Ocean Thermal Energy
Conversion Heat Exchangers with Surface and Deep Ocean Waters in Hawaii.
Feb 2008 University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu,
Hawaii 96822. Retreived from http://aem.asm.org/cgi/reprint/51/6/1186?view=long&pmid=16347076 R
Cohen; D.E. Lennard; J H Turner; P. Wadhams Oct.20 1982 Energy
from the Ocean [and Discussion] Philosphical
Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series A. Mathematical and
Physical Sciences, Vol 307. No.1499 Technology in the
1990s: The Sea, pp 405-437 Natural Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) 2008 OTEC Desalinated Water U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy,operated by Midwest Research Institute • Battelle retrieved Mar 2008 from http://www.nrel.gov/OTEC/desalination.html Return to Water
Resources Projects page. |
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Date: May
2008
Student: *@willamette.edu
ENVR 327: Water Resources
Instructor: Dr. Karen Arabas
http://www.willamette.edu/~karabas/courses/envr327w
Email: kevansle@willamette.edu