14-08-2013, 03:25 PM
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
Ocean Thermal Energy .docx (Size: 108.75 KB / Downloads: 33)
Introduction:
Most of the planet is covered by the oceans, and they absorb a staggering amount of energy from the sun each day. Ocean thermal energy conversion, or OTEC, taps into this energy to produce electricity.
OTEC, or ocean thermal energy conversion, is a renewable energy technology that converts solar radiation to electric power by use of the worlds oceans.
This method uses the ocean’s water, which is free. So still, rising fuel costs have revived interest in these devices.
How Does it work?
This energy generation method takes advantage of the fact that the water at the bottom of the ocean is very cold, but it is warm on the surface. The technology of ocean thermal power generation uses a heat engine, much like in other energy generation methods. This heat engine is then put between two reservoirs – a low temperature one and a high temperature one. When the heat flows between the reservoirs, it is converted into energy.
As OTEC relies on temperature differences, it works best in the tropics, where the surface water is hottest. As long as the temperature of surface water and the deep water differs by roughly 36 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius), an OTEC system can generate significant amounts of power.
OTEC systems use the ocean's natural thermal gradientthe difference in temperature between water levelsto drive a power-producing cycle. For the process to be successful it requires the difference between the warm surface water and the cold deep water to differ by about 20°C (36°F).
Because of the vastness of the oceans, OTEC systems have the potential to create billions of watts of electric power. This is estimated as much as 1013 watts of usable power.
Ocean Thermal Energy .docx (Size: 108.75 KB / Downloads: 33)
Introduction:
Most of the planet is covered by the oceans, and they absorb a staggering amount of energy from the sun each day. Ocean thermal energy conversion, or OTEC, taps into this energy to produce electricity.
OTEC, or ocean thermal energy conversion, is a renewable energy technology that converts solar radiation to electric power by use of the worlds oceans.
This method uses the ocean’s water, which is free. So still, rising fuel costs have revived interest in these devices.
How Does it work?
This energy generation method takes advantage of the fact that the water at the bottom of the ocean is very cold, but it is warm on the surface. The technology of ocean thermal power generation uses a heat engine, much like in other energy generation methods. This heat engine is then put between two reservoirs – a low temperature one and a high temperature one. When the heat flows between the reservoirs, it is converted into energy.
As OTEC relies on temperature differences, it works best in the tropics, where the surface water is hottest. As long as the temperature of surface water and the deep water differs by roughly 36 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius), an OTEC system can generate significant amounts of power.
OTEC systems use the ocean's natural thermal gradientthe difference in temperature between water levelsto drive a power-producing cycle. For the process to be successful it requires the difference between the warm surface water and the cold deep water to differ by about 20°C (36°F).
Because of the vastness of the oceans, OTEC systems have the potential to create billions of watts of electric power. This is estimated as much as 1013 watts of usable power.