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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

Marine Energy Documents Related to OTEC

Tethys Engineering is a knowledge hub that contains documents and resources about the technical aspects of marine energy development. The table below contains all of the documents in the Tethys Engineering Knowledge Base associated with OTEC.

Total: 559

Title Author Date Type of Content Technology Collection Method Engineering
Mini-OTEC Operational Results Owens, W., Trimble, L. Journal Article OTEC, Closed-Cycle Field Data Materials, Performance, Structural
Assessment of Microbial Fouling in an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Experiment Aftring, R., Taylor, B. Journal Article OTEC Field Data
System Design Considerations for a Floating OTEC Modular Experiment Platform George, J. Conference Paper OTEC, Closed-Cycle Modeling Materials, Performance, Structural
Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) tugboats for iceberg towing in tropical waters Sasscer, D., Ortabasi, U. Journal Article OTEC Scale Device Structural
Thermal properties of the Florida Current as related to Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Mangarella, P., Heronemus, W. Journal Article OTEC Field Data Power Take Off
Preliminary selection of anchor systems for ocean thermal energy conversion Atturio, J., Valent, P., Taylor, R. Journal Article OTEC Field Data Performance, Substructure
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 OTEC Field Data
Ocean thermal energy conversion material requirements for large-Scale systems McGowan, J., Heronemus, W. Journal Article OTEC, Open-Cycle Materials
Technical and economic feasibility of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Dugger, G., Francis, E., Avery, W. Journal Article OTEC, Closed-Cycle, Open-Cycle
Displaying 551 - 559 of 559 results