Potential For OTEC (Ocean Thermal) In India

By Narsi Santhanam • Sep 11th, 2010 • Category: Uncategorized

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) utilizes the energy potential created by temperature difference between sun-warmed surface water and colder parts at the bottom to generate electricity.

OTEC uses this natural temperature gradient to drive a turbine, which is connected to a generator. It is desirable that the temperature difference between the warm surface water and the cold deep water be at least 20 degrees C.

This is what Wikipedia has to say about OTEC: “The total energy available is one or two orders of magnitude higher than other ocean energy options such as wave power; but the small magnitude of the temperature difference makes energy extraction comparatively difficult and expensive, due to low thermal efficiency. Earlier OTEC systems had an overall efficiency of only 1 to 3% (the theoretical maximum efficiency lies between 6 and 7%). Current designs under review will operate closer to the theoretical maximum efficiency. The energy carrier, seawater, is free, though it has an access cost associated with the pumping materials and pump energy costs. Although an OTEC plant operates at a low overall efficiency, it can be configured to operate continuously as a Base load power generation system. ”