Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

Oceans are not only home to a large variety of species of our ecosystem, they are also huge resource for alternative energy. This process of alternative energy is also known as OTEC or “Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion”. The credit for coming up with this brilliant idea of using Ocean Thermal Energy as an alternative energy source goes to the French Scientist Jack D’Arsonval way back in 1881.

However, because of various challenges involved, it is still not a very popular or widely method of alternative energy. This is mainly because of the large costs involved with its implementation. The costs are high due to the intensive utilization of various processes used to harness and use this resource.

The fact is that this huge cost deters the widespread funding and exploration of this particular source even though it is a very clean and pollution free and huge resource with phenomenal potential. Thus the sole electricity-producing OTEC plant on this blue planet right now is the NEL of Hawaii. This resource needs much more research and development to ward off its current drawback of potentially hurting local ecosystems and make it cleaner and more efficient.

However, let us have a look at different kinds of OTEC-

1. Closed Cycle OTEC uses the process of boiling an intermediate fluid (a liquid with a relatively easily attainable boiling point like propane) along with the warmer water from the outside ocean which is pumped by the OTEC plant and creation of a mass of vapor which creates force on the piston that powers the engine thus generating power for our appliances. The vapor can be cooled down by releasing outside ocean water into the engine and the process can start again. This process can also be utilized for treating chemicals.

2. Open Cycle OTEC operates without the fluid used in closed cycle OTEC and here it is actually the ocean waters that drives the engine’s piston. First a vacuum is created which turns the warmer ocean water is pumped in into a thin mist which is then forced into a small area to exert pressure on the turbine and electricity is generated. Again here the vapor is cooled down which takes the salt out of sea water and makes it fit for humans to drink.

3. Hybrid Cycle OTEC is an ambitious theory which postulates the way to most efficiently use the sea’s thermal energy. This can theoretically be done by either using a closed loop in order to produce electrical power which can be further used to make the no-pressure situation required for open cycling; or it can be done by a combination of more than one cycles to create twice the amount of drinkable water.

However, even in the present form, the functional OTEC plants of both cycling kinds can be used for bringing in outside water to balance the temperature of the system for use in home cooling systems or for mari-culture and aquatic enthusiast projects such as fish farming in the enclosed area.

Thus OTEC is a versatile alternative energy source which can be used for a variety of uses if only we have the spirit of initiative to take up this challenge.

Tags:Alternative Energy, hydro, Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion, OTEC, water