Ocean Thermal Gradients
Current Events
A Current story would be about the U.S. Navy that was recently granted $12.5 million to grant funding to design and commercialize a 10 MW project off the Hawaii coast of Oahu. Some Technological advances include bigger plants that can produce more electricity
Ocean Thermal Gradients
Pros & Cons
Science/ Engineering
pro: If less than one-tenth of 1% of all the solar energy trapped in the oceans could be converted into electric power , it would supply more than 20 times the total electricity the United States consumes everyday.
What Is it
* Ocean thermal gradients is using the temperature difference between cooler deep water and warmer shallow surface waters.
Where does it come from?
*This energy source comes from the oceans temperature differences in its deep and shallow waters.
Politics
How long has it been used ?.
*The OTEC theory was first developed in the 1800's and the first demonstration model was created in 1926.
Who Benefits?
- *In the United States the state of Hawaii and the U.S. Navy have been benefiting since 1979 because they constructed a plant that provides them 15 kilowatts of net power. Hawaii also created a 250 kilowatt plant in 1999. Many other countries also are starting to construct their own plants.
Who are the cooperation interests?
* The ocean thermal energy cooperation is trying to build renewable energy systems based on ocean thermal energy conservations in developing countries and islands around the world .
Con: An intolerable consequence, since it needs to be cold. To get the cold water necessary, the pipes also have to extend down thousands feet .
Ocean Thermal Gradients
Bryan Prado & Natalie Mora
Economics/ Supply
Environmental / Health issues
How Much Did It Cost?
*An average 10-megawatt land based plant cost about $40,000,000. A megawatt floating plant will cost around $215,000,000.
What Are the environmental impacts?
* included carbon dioxide being dissolved in deep , cold, and high pressure layers being brought up to the surface and released as the water warms. Another impact is mixing of deep ocean waters with shallow waters brings up nutrients and makes them available for shallow water life.
How big is the supply?
*The Supply will be abundant and available as long as there is an ocean and sun .
How Sustainable is it ?.
*OTEC is highly sustainable especially since it is clean energy source , it can provide massive levels and it also renewable
What are some environmental benefits?
*OTEC replaces the need of fossils fuels to produce electricity . it also doesn't produce little or no carbon dioxide or other polluting chemicals . OTEC produces fresh water when it is heated in plants as it takes the salt out.