scholarly journals Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion—Flexible Enabling Technology for Variable Renewable Energy Integration in the Caribbean

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 2192
Author(s):  
Robert J. Brecha ◽  
Katherine Schoenenberger ◽  
Masaō Ashtine ◽  
Randy Koon Koon
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Small Island ◽  
Gis Mapping ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion ◽  
Thermal Energy Conversion ◽  
Hourly Data ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy

Many Caribbean island nations have historically been heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels for both power and transportation, while at the same time being at an enhanced risk from the impacts of climate change, although their emissions represent a very tiny fraction of the global total responsible for climate change. Small island developing states (SIDSs) are among the leaders in advocating for the ambitious 1.5 °C Paris Agreement target and the transition to 100% sustainable, renewable energy systems. In this work, three central results are presented. First, through GIS mapping of all Caribbean islands, the potential for near-coastal deep-water as a resource for ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) is shown, and these results are coupled with an estimate of the countries for which OTEC would be most advantageous due to a lack of other dispatchable renewable power options. Secondly, hourly data have been utilized to explicitly show the trade-offs between battery storage needs and dispatchable renewable sources such as OTEC in 100% renewable electricity systems, both in technological and economic terms. Finally, the utility of near-shore, open-cycle OTEC with accompanying desalination is shown to enable a higher penetration of renewable energy and lead to lower system levelized costs than those of a conventional fossil fuel system.

scholarly journals Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion – Flexible Enabling Technology for Variable Renewable Energy Integration in the Caribbean

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Brecha ◽  
Katherine Schoenenberger ◽  
Masaō Ashtine ◽  
Randy Koon Koon
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Small Island ◽  
Gis Mapping ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion ◽  
Thermal Energy Conversion ◽  
Hourly Data ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy

Many Caribbean island nations have historically been heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels for both power and transportation, while at the same time being at an enhanced risk from the impacts of climate change, although their emissions represent a very tiny fraction of the global total responsible for climate change. Small island developing states (SIDS) are among the leaders in advocating for the ambitious 1.5°C Paris Agreement target and the transition to 100% sustainable, renewable energy systems. In this work we present three central results. First, we show through GIS mapping of all Caribbean islands the potential for near-coastal deep-water as a resource for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) and couple these results with an estimate of the countries for which OTEC would be most advantageous due to a lack of other dispatchable renewable power options. Second, hourly data have been utilized to explicitly show the trade-offs between battery storage needs and dispatchable renewable sources such as OTEC in 100% renewable electricity systems, both in technological and economic terms. Finally, the utility of near-shore, open-cycle OTEC with accompanying desalination is shown to enable a higher penetration of renewable energy and lead to lower system levelized costs than those of a conventional fossil fuel system.

scholarly journals Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion and Other Uses of Deep Sea Water: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 356
Author(s):  
Jorge Herrera ◽  
Santiago Sierra ◽  
Asier Ibeas
Keyword(s):  
Energy Source ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Temperature Gradient ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Thermal Energy Conversion ◽  
The World ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy

Research into renewable energy is an active field of research, with photovoltaic and wind being the most representative technologies. A promising renewable energy source is Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), based on the temperature gradient of seawater. This technology has two contradictory features, as its efficiency is relatively low while, on the other hand, its energy source is almost unlimited. OTEC research has focused on optimizing energy extraction, with different techniques having been used for this purpose. This article presents a review of the advances and applications of OTEC technology around the world. Throughout the document, the different uses of deep seawater are analyzed; further, the current systems which generate energy through the marine temperature gradient are reviewed, and the main advantages and disadvantages of each method are highlighted. The technical operations, construction variations, and the projects that have been developed around the world and those which are in the planning phase are also detailed. The two main conclusions are that this technology is still under development, but it is quite promising, especially for regions with little access to drinking water. Second, given the high implementation costs and low conversion efficiency, the development of this technology must be sponsored by governments.

The First Commercial Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Power Plant: Taking a Renewable Energy Technology Project From Concept to Commercial Operation

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis Loria ◽  
Robert Nicholson ◽  
Edward Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Electric Power ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Commercial Development ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion ◽  
Desalinated Water ◽  
Thermal Energy Conversion ◽  
Commercial Operation ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is one of the few renewable energy technologies that can provide an unlimited source of continuous, electric power. Sea Solar Power (SSP) is currently involved in a coordinated design and commercial development effort that will bring their patented SSP OTEC cycle to commercial operation in 2007. The SSP OTEC cycle not only provides continuous electric power, but also provides large quantities of desalinated water, which is even more valuable than electricity in many countries and islands. The first 10 MW land-based SSP plant is now being developed for application on an island in the Caribbean. (Negotiations are ongoing, so the location cannot be disclosed at this time, but will be disclosed when the paper is delivered at the conference.) This paper will review the on-going efforts that will bring this technology to commercial operation and the potential benefits of this technology. The technology is based on a proprietary binary Rakine thermodynamic cycle that utilizes the temperature difference between warm surface water and cold deep sea water. These temperature differentials are unique to the Tropics. The 10 MW landbased SSP plant will also provide 11,355 cubic meters-per-day (3 million gallons-per-day) of desalinated water. Another beneficial byproduct of this technology is the ability to support mariculture, or fish-farming, using the nutrient-rich deep seawater. Mariculture can provide food for thousands of people and enhance the economy of the host country, as an export commodity. R. W. Beck is supporting the design of the standard, 10 MW land-based plant for this application and is also supporting the commercial development activities of SSP.

Modeling of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Plant in Reunion Island

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frantz Sinama ◽  
Franck Lucas ◽  
Franc¸ois Garde
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
Thermodynamic Cycles ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion ◽  
Thermal Energy Conversion ◽  
Réunion Island ◽  
Ocean Thermal Energy

Renewable Energy has a crucial interest for a remote area like Reunion Island. The supply of electricity based on renewable energy has many advantages but the major drawback is the production of electricity which varies highly according to the availability of the resource (wind, solar, wave, etc...). This causes a real problem for non interconnected electrical grid where intermittent renewable energies should be limited to a maximum of 30%. The ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) provides an alternative of electricity production from the available energy of the oceans present all the time. By using surface hot water and deep cold water from the ocean, it is possible to operate a thermodynamics cycle, which will then generate electricity. In this article, in the first part a literary and technological review is carried out in two areas: electricity production and cooling of buildings with deep water. This study establishes a knowledge base on thermodynamic cycles consistent with the OTEC and on dimensional and functional parameters associated with this technology. Steady state simulations are presented to understand the operation of the system. Steady state models will evaluate the potential of the OTEC in distributing base electricity. These simulations will help evaluating the potential for new thermodynamic cycles such as the Kalina cycle. With these tools, a sensitivity study will evaluate the influence of different parameters on the cycle.

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