Electric Power Generation: Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

This chapter discusses the background, status, and future prospects of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) technology. This is a controversial subject, since there are widely differing perceptions as to the appropriate rate and manner of OTEC development. The earth's oceans intercept solar radiation, much of which they convert to and store as thermal energy. Accordingly, OTEC power plants are analogous to solar hydropower plants in that they smooth out the diurnal intermittence of the solar radiation, in contrast to other solar-electric energy options. Thus, OTEC power plants provide a potentially substantial renewable source of base-load electricity, albeit located mainly at sea. The marketing of OTEC products from sea-based power plants is possible via two basic avenues: submarine umbilicals and marine transportation of energy-intensive products derived from OTEC electricity. Surveys of possible OTEC sites can involve varying levels of detail, both spatially and temporally.