2. Introduction:
Non-conventional sources are turning out to be
significant sources of energy for humanity. With global
warming a certainty, it is imperative that we turn to
non-polluting and renewable sources of energy. One
such source of energy is Ocean Thermal Energy
Conversion (OTEC).
As well as geothermal sources of energy, we can also
use the thermal energy in our oceans. Ocean Thermal
Energy Conversion or just simply “OTEC”, is another
marine based technology that extracts the potential
energy stored in the world’s oceans using the various
temperature layers in the water.
3. What is OCET?
The ocean can be thought of as one large solar panel
being heated up every day of the year by the sun and
on an average day, the water near the surface absorbs
huge amounts of thermal heat from the rays of the sun.
So, on average, the oceans warm up gaining energy
during summer and cool down losing energy to the
atmosphere during the winter. As the seas and oceans
cover over 70% of the Earth surface it only makes sense
to try and capture this thermal energy stored within
the oceans, and Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
allows us to do just that.
4. History of OTEC
1930s
Jacques-Yves Cousteau
and Georges Claude
develop the first OTEC
concept
1970s
Japan and the United
States begin research
and development of
OTEC
1980s
The first OTEC plant is
built in Japan
1990s
The first commercial
OTEC plant is built in
Hawaii
2000s
OTEC technology is
further developed in
India, China, and other
countries
2010s
OTEC technology is
increasingly used for
energy production
5. How it works?
• OTEC harnesses the temperature
difference between warm surface
water and cold deep water in the
ocean to produce electricity.
• The process involves pumping cold
water from the deep ocean to the
surface, where it is used to condense a
working fluid, usually ammonia or a
hydrocarbon, that is vaporized by the
warm surface water.
• The resulting vapor drives a turbine
generator to produce electricity, and
the condensed fluid is then pumped
back down to the cold depths to
complete the cycle.
Source - https://www.teachoo.com/11078/3163/Ocean-Thermal-Energy/category/Concepts/
7. Open-Cycle OTEC
What is Open Cycle OTEC?
Open cycle OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy
Conversion) is a method of generating
electricity from the temperature difference
between warm surface seawater and colder
deep seawater. This process involves the
use of a large volume of warm seawater,
which is pumped into a low-pressure
chamber.
How does OTEC work?
In open-cycle ocean thermal
energy conversion, warm, surface
seawater is placed in a low-
pressure container that causes the
water to boil, turning a turbine as
the steam expands. The steam is
then exposed to cold, deep
seawater and condenses into
freshwater..
Benefits of OTEC
OTEC is a renewable energy
source that produces no
emissions and is available
24/7.Since open cycle OTEC does
not rely on the burning of fossil fuels
to generate electricity, it has very low
carbon emissions compared to
traditional power plants.
Open-Cycle OTEC is a promising technology for harnessing the power of ocean
thermal energy conversion, with many benefits for the environment and society.
8. Closed-Cycle OTEC
What is OTEC?
OTEC stands for Ocean Thermal
Energy Conversion, a process of
harnessing energy from the
temperature difference
between the ocean's surface
and depths.
Closed-Cycle OTEC
Closed-Cycle OTEC is a type of
OTEC that uses a closed loop
system to generate electricity.
Benefits of Closed-Cycle
OTEC
Closed-Cycle OTEC is more
efficient and cost-effective than
other forms of OTEC.
Closed-Cycle OTEC is an effective way to harness the power of ocean thermal
energy conversion, providing efficient and cost-effective electricity generation.
9. Hybrid Cycle OTEC
What is a Hybrid Cycle
OTEC?
A Hybrid Cycle OTEC is a type of
OTEC system that combines
two different thermodynamic
cycles to increase efficiency.
How does Hybrid Cycle
OTEC work?
A hybrid cycle OTEC system combines
these two cycles by using the warm
seawater to vaporize the working fluid
in a closed-cycle Rankine cycle, and
then using the vapor to drive the
turbine in an open-cycle Rankine-vapor
cycle. This allows for higher
efficiencies and more electricity
generation than either cycle alone.
What are the benefits of
Hybrid Cycle OTEC
Hybrid Cycle OTEC provides renewable
and predictable energy with low
emissions, versatile use, and economic
benefits, while reducing dependence
on fossil fuels and aiding climate
adaptation.
Hybrid Cycle OTEC systems are an efficient way to harness the power of Ocean
Thermal Energy Conversion and can be used to generate electricity.
10. Present Status of OTEC
OTEC is still in the early stages of development.There are currently only a few OTEC plants in
operation around the world. One of the earliest and most successful OTEC plants is located in
Hawaii, which has been operational since 1984.There are several pilot OTEC plants in operation
around the world, including in Japan, India, and the United States. These plants are smaller in
scale than the existing plants and are used to test and refine OTEC technology.
11. Impacts of OTEC
• Marine Life Disturbance: The
installation of OTEC systems can
disturb marine life, including
marine mammals, sea turtles,
and fish, due to the noise and
vibration generated during the
construction and operation of
the systems. This disturbance
can affect the behavior,
migration, and reproduction of
these species.
• Water Discharge: The discharge
of water from OTEC systems,
especially open-cycle systems,
can alter the temperature and
chemistry of the surrounding
seawater. This can affect the
growth and survival of marine
organisms and disrupt the local
ecosystem.
• Alteration of Ocean Currents:
OTEC systems can alter the
natural flow of ocean currents,
which can have impacts on
marine life and affect the
distribution of nutrients and
oxygen in the ocean.
12. Exploring Ocean Thermal Energy
Conversion with Graphs
OTEC energy production increased steadily over the five months.
*Data sourced from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
14. OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy
Conversion) technology has
several difficulties that need to
be addressed to increase its
efficiency and feasibility. Here
are some of the major
difficulties associated with
OTEC:
Difficulties
faced
High Capital Costs Technical
Complexity
Energy Efficiency
Environmental
Impacts
Location Specific
Transportation and
Logistics
15. Conclusion: Pros and Cons of
OTEC
OTEC has the potential to provide a reliable and
renewable source of energy, which could help reduce
our dependence on fossil fuels. It also does not emit any
greenhouse gases or pollutants during operation.
The installation of OTEC systems can have negative
impacts on the marine environment, and the technology
faces several technical and economic challenges.