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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: 565

Title Author Date Type of Content Technology Collection Method Engineering
OTEC XH Testing Program 2014 Annual Report Makai Ocean Engineering Report OTEC Performance, Structural
Off-design performance analysis of a closed-cycle ocean thermal energy conversion system with solar thermal preheating and superheating Aydin, H., Lee, H., Kim, H. Journal Article OTEC, Closed-Cycle Performance
Performance characteristics of a high-efficiency R717 OTEC power cycle Yoon, J., Son, C., Baek, S. Journal Article OTEC, Closed-Cycle Modeling Control, Performance
Analysing the Effect of the Hot Water Temperature Change on Different OTEC Processes Knorst-Fouran, A., Teixeira, D., Ambrosino, J. Conference Paper OTEC, Closed-Cycle Modeling Control, Performance
A review of synthetic fiber moorings for marine energy applications Davies, P., Johanning, L., Weller S. Conference Paper Current, Wave, OTEC Materials, Mooring
An economic and environmental assessment of transporting bulk energy from a grazing ocean thermal energy conversion facility Gilmore, E., Blohm, A., Sinsabaugh, S. Journal Article OTEC, Closed-Cycle Modeling Materials
Performance analysis of an absorption power cycle for ocean thermal energy conversion Yuan, H., Zhou, P. Journal Article OTEC, Closed-Cycle Modeling Performance
Feasibility study of a combined Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion method in South Korea Jung, H., Hwang, J. Journal Article OTEC, Closed-Cycle Modeling Performance
A novel working fluid for building air-conditioning and ocean thermal energy conversion Lee, H., Kim, H., Jung, D. Journal Article OTEC, Hybrid-Cycle Modeling Materials, Performance
Maximum power of a multistage Rankine cycle in low-grade thermal energy conversion Morisaki, T., Ikegami, Y. Journal Article OTEC, Closed-Cycle Modeling Materials, Performance
Analysis of optimization in an OTEC plant using organic Rankine cycle Yang, M., Yeh, R. Journal Article OTEC Performance
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion: Technology Brief Kempener, R., Neumann, F. Report OTEC
Ocean thermal energy resources in Colombia Devis-Morales, A., Montoya-Sánchez, R., Osorio, A. Journal Article OTEC Modeling
Economic Design of OTEC Power Plant with Concurrent Production of Desalinated Water – A Case Study Narayanan, C. Journal Article OTEC, Hybrid-Cycle Performance
Public funding for ocean energy: A comparison of the UK and U.S. Jeffrey, H., Sedgwick, J., Gerrard, G. Journal Article Current, Wave, Salinity Gradient, OTEC
Numerical and experimental study of the phase change process for underwater glider propelled by ocean thermal energy Kong, Q., Ma, J., Xia, D. Journal Article OTEC, Closed-Cycle Lab Data, Modeling Control, Performance
Thermal power plant efficiency enhancement with Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Soto, R., Vergara, J. Journal Article OTEC Modeling
Wave energy conversion and ocean thermal energy conversion potential in developing member countries Vega, L. Report Wave, OTEC
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Development Update A Presentation to The World Bank O'Rourke, E. Presentation OTEC Mooring
An assessment of global Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion resources under broad geographical constraints Rajagopalan, K., Nihous, G. Journal Article OTEC Modeling
Experimental investigation on an ammonia-water based ocean thermal energy conversion system Yuan, H., Mei, N., Hu, S. Journal Article OTEC, Closed-Cycle Lab Data Performance
Multi-use offshore platform configurations in the scope of the FP7 TROPOS Project Quevedo, E., Cartón, M., Delory, E. Conference Paper OTEC, Closed-Cycle Hybrid Devices
Experimental studies on a closed cycle demonstration OTEC plant working on small temperature difference Faizal, M., Ahmed, M. Journal Article OTEC, Closed-Cycle Lab Data, Scale Device Performance
Energy and exergy analyses of hydrogen production via solar-boosted ocean thermal energy conversion and PEM electrolysis Ahmadi, P., Dincer, I., Rosen, M. Journal Article OTEC, Open-Cycle Lab Data, Modeling Hybrid Devices, Performance
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion at SBM Kibbee, S. Conference Paper OTEC
A novel radial self-rectifying air turbine for use in wave energy converters Falcao, A., Gato, L., Nunes, E. Journal Article Oscillating Water Column, OTEC Performance, Structural
Estimates of global Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) resources using an ocean general circulation model Rajagopalan, K., Nihous, G. Journal Article OTEC Modeling
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Vega, L. Book Chapter OTEC
Ocean Thermal Extractable Energy Visualization Lockheed Martin Mission Systems & Sensors Report OTEC Modeling
A novel Carnot-based cycle for ocean thermal energy conversion Semmari, H., Stitou, D., Mauran, S. Journal Article OTEC, Closed-Cycle Modeling Performance
Ocean Renewable Energy: 2015-2050, An Analysis of Ocean Energy in Australia Behrens, S., Griffin, D., Hayward, J. Report Current, Wave, OTEC Modeling Hydrodynamics
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Life Cycle Cost Assessment Martel, L., Smith, P., Rizea, S. Report OTEC
Thermodynamic and economic feasibility analysis of a 20 MW ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) power plant Upshaw, C. Thesis OTEC
An overview of ocean renewable energy resources in Korea Kim, G., Lee, M., Lee, K. Journal Article Current, Wave, OTEC
Optimization design and exergy analysis of organic rankine cycle in ocean thermal energy conversion Sun, F., Ikegami, Y., Jia, B. Journal Article OTEC, Closed-Cycle Modeling Materials, Performance
Assessment of ocean thermal energy conversion Muralidharan, S. Thesis OTEC
Assessment of HYCOM as a tool for estimating Florida's OTEC potential VanZwieten, J., Rauchenstein, L., Hanson, H. Conference Paper OTEC Modeling
Modeling global ocean thermal energy resources Nagurny, J., Martel, L., Jansen, E. Conference Paper OTEC Modeling
Electricity generation by the ocean thermal energy Etemadi, A., Emdadi, A., AsefAfshar, O. Journal Article OTEC, Closed-Cycle, Open-Cycle, Hybrid-Cycle Modeling
Are We There Yet? A Developer's Roadmap to OTEC Commercialization Meyer, L., Cooper, D., Varley, R. Conference Paper OTEC
Corrosion of Bare and Coated Al 5052-H3 and Al 6061-T6 in Seawater Hihara, L., Kusada, K. Report OTEC Lab Data Materials
OTEC Advanced Composite Cold Water Pipe: Final Technical Report Miller, A., Ascari, M. Report OTEC, Hybrid-Cycle Lab Data Materials, Structural
Model-based global assessment of OTEC resources with data validation off Southeast Florida Rauchenstein, L., VanZwieten, J., Hanson, H. Conference Paper OTEC Field Data, Modeling
Staging Rankine Cycles Using Ammonia for OTEC Power Production Bharathan, D. Report OTEC Modeling Performance
Research and developments on ocean thermal energy conversion Wang, C., Yee, A., Krock, H. Journal Article OTEC
An overview of ocean renewable energy in China Wang, S., Yuan, P., Jiao, Y. Journal Article Current, Wave, Salinity Gradient, OTEC
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES AND CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change Report Current, Wave, Salinity Gradient, OTEC
Project OTEC Technology Development Report Cable, B. Report OTEC Field Data, Lab Data, Modeling, Scale Device Materials, Performance, Structural, Substructure
OTEC Technology Development Report Cable, B. Report OTEC Field Data, Modeling Structural
Mapping available Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion resources around the main Hawaiian Islands with state-of-the-art tools Nihous, G. Journal Article OTEC Modeling
Displaying 451 - 500 of 565 results