Introduction

85% of energy today generated is from fossil fuels. It is said current stock of fuels is sufficient to run world

for up to 2050. Sun is the many source of energy. All renewable energy are derived from solar energy like wind energy, geothermal energy, Tidal energy. Oceans have tendency to absorb solar energy as heat energy Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is new and highly regarded renewable energy source in todays market

 OTEC utilizes heat energy stored in tropical oceans. Concept of heat engine is extremely common.

OTEC replaces traditional methods and replaces it by

energy produced from difference in temperature of ocean water. Total magnitude of energy available is higher than other sources such as wave energy and tidal energy. OTEC is new method and relative research is required. If successfully driven it can solve major energy crisis across Pacific, Africa and other tropical regions.

History
Jacques Arsene dArsonval in 1881.

Georges Claude built experimental OTEC cycle in

1930 producing 22 kW electricity. He attempted again in 1935 at Brazilian coast. In 1974 first test site was established at Hawaii. In 1979 it started producing 15 kW net electricity. In 1980 a Japanese plant successfully produced 120 kW electricity providing 30 kW to power grid. India has built floating OTEC plant near Tamil Nadu .

Working
OTEC uses temperature difference of sea water to

produce electricity. Surface of sea water acts as a collector for solar heat with infinite heat storage capacity. OTEC requires temperature difference up to 20 deg C. Temperature difference is used to generate steam which in turns runs turbine and produces energy. Rankine Cycle is most commonly used heat cycle for OTEC plants.

Working of Rankine cycle

1-2 isentropic compression in a pump 2-3Constant pressure heat addition in a boiler 3-4 isentropic expansion in a turbine 4-1 Constant pressure heat rejection in condenser

Classification
OTEC plants are classified as Open Cycle Closed Cycle

Open Cycle

Closed Cycle
Closed Cycle
First closed cycle was proposed in 1960s by J. Hilbert

Anderson. In 1979 OTEC plant at Hawaiian coast producing sufficient energy to produce television and computers. In 1999 last experiment was conducted in United States producing 250 kW electricity. Apart from these Indian government is actively building 1 MW closed cycle, floating OTEC plant.

Working fluids in Closed Cycle

Factors affecting

Good transport properties, easy availability Non toxic and non flammable Low boiling point Economically cheap Normally used working fluids Ammonia CFCs and HCFCs Hydrocarbons

Design and Plant location

OTEC plants locations are of three types Off shore facilities Self Mounted facilities Floating facilities

Off-Shore Facilities

Advantages

Easy construction Less Maintenance Distillated water Mari culture

Disadvantages
Friction generated

Discharge of cold water

Self Mounted Facilities

Transmission of electricity becomes difficult Venerable against storms and cyclones

Floating Type

 Plant should be kept Stabilized

Strong platforms Special riser cable to for stabilizing water pipes

Power delivery cable should remain stationary

Opportunities and Benefits

Immense Resource. Baseload Power.

Security.
Renewable. Clean Energy. Offshore. Low Risk.

Technical Difficulties
Microbial Fouling
Raw sea water causes fouling. Can degrade heat exchanger up to 50%.

Possible Treatments
Sponge treatment Chlorination Aluminum tubing Titanium tubing

 Sealing
Atmospheric Pressure up to 3% to 1% As pressure plays important part in boiling water

Parasitic power consumption

Net power should be kept low by having less energy utilizing machinery to get maximum power from the plant

Other related technology

Concerns
Cost and Economics
Early project makes it more expensive compare to wind energy If such cost are reduced energy can as cheap as $ 0.07

Possible Markets
An estimate shows OTEC can be found in four

different markets within 5 to 10 years. 1) Small islands nations in south Pacific. 2) American territories such as Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa. 3) Indian Ocean. 4) Floating closed cycle Plants.

Bibliography
http://www.energynow.com/energypanel/2011/09/23/

ocean-thermal-energy-conversion http://www.esru.strath.ac.uk/EandE/Web_sites/0203/ocean_thermal_energy/group%20project/exports/ otecex.html http://www.makai.com/e-otec.htm http://www.ocees.com http://www.lockheedmartin.com/products/OTEC/ind ex.html