OTEC

Capturing energy using temperature gradients across water depths.

Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) technology converts solar energy stored in the layers of the tropical and subtropical oceans. Thermal heat engines use the temperature difference between the sun-warmed surface water and cold water in the deep ocean. The temperature difference between surface waters and deeper water can reach over 25oC in summer months, although usually this temperature difference exists only over water with depths of 1,000 m or greater. Many different OTEC archetypes have been investigated, some on floating offshore platforms and some built onshore with pipelines to transport the water to and from the ocean. Each system uses one or a combination of thermodynamic processes to turn the temperature difference into mechanical energy. Both the open-cycle and closed-cycle plants use cold water pumped from the deep ocean to condense a working fluid. An ancillary benefit is that the condensate is freshwater that can have other uses such as agriculture and potable drinking water.

Photo: Okinawa Prefecture Industrial Policy Division

Affiliated Marine Energy Engineering Documents

Total results: 324
Title Author Date Publication Type Type of Content Technology Collection Method Application
An assessment of ocean thermal energy conversion as an advanced electric generation methodology Heydt, G. Journal Article Journal Article OTEC
Design of a 100 MW OTEC-hydrogen plantship Nihous, G., Vega, L. Journal Article Journal Article OTEC, Closed-Cycle Materials, Performance
Ocean thermal energy conversion: Its promise as a total resource system Takahashi, P., Trenka, A. Journal Article Journal Article OTEC
Adaptive Control of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) System: Controller Design and Countermeasure for Bursting Phenomena in System Identification Nakamura, M. Journal Article Journal Article OTEC, Closed-Cycle Lab Data, Modeling Control
Alcan's ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) program Hron, V., Fitzpatrick, N., Hay, E. Journal Article Journal Article OTEC, Open-Cycle
OTEC biofouling and corrosion study at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii, 1983--1987 Panchal, C., Stevens, H., Genens, L. Report Report OTEC Materials
A simple eddy kinetic energy model for simulations of the oceanic vertical mixing: Tests at station Papa and long‐term upper ocean study site Gaspar, P. , Grégoris, Y., Lefevre, J. Journal Article Journal Article Current, OTEC Modeling Performance
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion: An Overview Solar Technical Information Program Report Report OTEC
Overview of metallic materials for heat exchangers for ocean thermal energy conversion systems Kapranos, P., Priestner, R. Journal Article Journal Article OTEC, Closed-Cycle Materials, Performance
Turbidity currents on steep slopes: Application of an avalanche-type numeric model for ocean thermal energy conversion design Dengler, A., Wilde, P. Journal Article Journal Article OTEC Modeling Hydrodynamics
OTEC biofouling-control and corrosion-protection study at the Seacoast Test Facility: 1981-1983 Panchal, C., Larsen-Basse, J., Berger, L. Report Report OTEC Field Data
Falling jet flash evaporators for open cycle ocean thermal energy conversion Wassel, A. , Ghiaasiaan, S. Journal Article Journal Article OTEC, Open-Cycle Performance
Hydrogen generation by OTEC electrolysis, and economical energy transfer to world markets via ammonia and methanol Avery, W., Richards, D., Dugger, G. Journal Article Journal Article OTEC Grid Integration
Ocean thermal energy conversion- materials issues Darby, J. Journal Article Journal Article OTEC Field Data Materials, Performance, Structural
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Prospects For Near Term Development Lewis, L. Conference Paper Conference Paper OTEC
The exergy of the ocean thermal resource and analysis of second-law efficiencies of idealized ocean thermal energy conversion power cycles Johnson, D. Journal Article Journal Article OTEC, Closed-Cycle Modeling Performance
Inverted vertical spout evaporators for open cycle ocean thermal energy conversion Ghiaasiaan, S., Wassel, A. Journal Article Journal Article OTEC, Open-Cycle Lab Data, Modeling Hydrodynamics, Performance
OTEC biofouling, corrosion, and materials study from a moored platform at Punta Tuna, Puerto Rico Sasscer, D., Tosteson, T., Morgan, T. Report Report OTEC Field Data
Assessment of Microbial Fouling in an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Experiment Aftring, R., Taylor, B. Journal Article Journal Article OTEC Field Data
Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) tugboats for iceberg towing in tropical waters Sasscer, D., Ortabasi, U. Journal Article Journal Article OTEC Scale Device Structural
Preliminary selection of anchor systems for ocean thermal energy conversion Atturio, J., Valent, P., Taylor, R. Journal Article Journal Article OTEC Field Data Performance, Substructure
Thermal properties of the Florida Current as related to Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Mangarella, P. , Heronemus, W. Journal Article Journal Article OTEC Field Data Power Take Off
Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) biofouling and corrosion experiment (1977), St. Croix, U. S. Virgin Islands: Biofouling and site characterization studies Aftring, R., Capone, D., Duguay, L. Report Report OTEC Field Data
Ocean thermal energy conversion material requirements for large-Scale systems McGowan, J., Heronemus, W. Journal Article Journal Article OTEC, Open-Cycle Materials
Displaying 301 - 324 of 324 results