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Estimates of global Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) resources using an ocean general circulation model

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  • Rajagopalan, Krishnakumar
  • Nihous, Gérard C.

Abstract

Global Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) resources are assessed for the first time with an ocean general circulation model (OGCM). Large-scale OTEC operations are represented with fluid sources and sinks of prescribed strength in global (4° × 4°) MITgcm simulations. Preliminary steady-state (time-asymptotic) results show similarities, but also significant differences with earlier one-dimensional (1-D) studies. It is confirmed that global OTEC resources are likely limited by OTEC flow effects on the stability of the vertical oceanic thermal structure. Such a limit is several times greater in a full three-dimensional context, however, with an estimated maximum annual OTEC net power production of about 30 TW. The significant OTEC flow rates corresponding to maximum net power output would result in a strong boost of the oceanic thermohaline circulation (THC). In contrast to simple 1-D analyses, the present simulations of large-scale OTEC operations also show a persistent cooling of the tropical oceanic mixed-layer. This would be balanced by a warming trend in the higher latitudes, which may practically limit OTEC deployment to smaller flow rates than at maximum net power output. An annual OTEC net power production of about 7 TW, for example, could be achieved with little effect on the oceanic temperature field.

Suggested Citation

  • Rajagopalan, Krishnakumar & Nihous, Gérard C., 2013. "Estimates of global Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) resources using an ocean general circulation model," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 532-540.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:50:y:2013:i:c:p:532-540
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2012.07.014
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    Cited by:

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    3. Liu, Weimin & Xu, Xiaojian & Chen, Fengyun & Liu, Yanjun & Li, Shizhen & Liu, Lei & Chen, Yun, 2020. "A review of research on the closed thermodynamic cycles of ocean thermal energy conversion," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    4. Khan, N. & Kalair, A. & Abas, N. & Haider, A., 2017. "Review of ocean tidal, wave and thermal energy technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 590-604.
    5. Khosravi, A. & Syri, Sanna & Assad, M.E.H. & Malekan, M., 2019. "Thermodynamic and economic analysis of a hybrid ocean thermal energy conversion/photovoltaic system with hydrogen-based energy storage system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 304-319.
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    7. Hall, Kashawn & Kelly, Solange & Henry, Legena, 2022. "Site selection of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plants for Barbados," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(P2), pages 60-69.
    8. Guillermo Lopez & Maria de los Angeles Ortega Del Rosario & Arthur James & Humberto Alvarez, 2022. "Site Selection for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Plants (OTEC): A Case Study in Panama," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-24, April.
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    11. Alejandro García Huante & Yandy Rodríguez Cueto & Ricardo Efraín Hernández Contreras & Erika Paola Garduño Ruíz & Miguel Ángel Alatorre Mendieta & Rodolfo Silva, 2021. "Validation of Sea-Surface Temperature Data for Potential OTEC Deployment in the Mexican Pacific," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-13, March.
    12. Ahmed Elkhatat & Shaheen A. Al-Muhtaseb, 2023. "Combined “Renewable Energy–Thermal Energy Storage (RE–TES)” Systems: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-46, June.
    13. Langer, Jannis & Quist, Jaco & Blok, Kornelis, 2020. "Recent progress in the economics of ocean thermal energy conversion: Critical review and research agenda," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    14. Rau, Greg H. & Baird, Jim R., 2018. "Negative-CO2-emissions ocean thermal energy conversion," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 265-272.
    15. Roger Samsó & Júlia Crespin & Antonio García-Olivares & Jordi Solé, 2023. "Examining the Potential of Marine Renewable Energy: A Net Energy Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-35, May.
    16. Ma, Zhesong & Wang, Yanhui & Wang, Shuxin & Yang, Yanan, 2016. "Ocean thermal energy harvesting with phase change material for underwater glider," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 557-566.
    17. Hu, Huakun & Xue, Wendong & Jiang, Peng & Li, Yong, 2022. "Bibliometric analysis for ocean renewable energy: An comprehensive review for hotspots, frontiers, and emerging trends," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    18. Tianshi Du & Zhao Jing & Lixin Wu & Hong Wang & Zhaohui Chen & Xiaohui Ma & Bolan Gan & Haiyuan Yang, 2022. "Growth of ocean thermal energy conversion resources under greenhouse warming regulated by oceanic eddies," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    19. Yang, Min-Hsiung & Yeh, Rong-Hua, 2022. "Investigation of the potential of R717 blends as working fluids in the organic Rankine cycle (ORC) for ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
    20. Zhang, Wei & Li, Ye & Wu, Xiaoni & Guo, Shihao, 2018. "Review of the applied mechanical problems in ocean thermal energy conversion," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 231-244.
    21. Muhammed Zafar Ali Khan & Haider Ali Khan & Muhammad Aziz, 2022. "Harvesting Energy from Ocean: Technologies and Perspectives," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-43, May.
    22. Langer, Jannis & Cahyaningwidi, Aida Astuti & Chalkiadakis, Charis & Quist, Jaco & Hoes, Olivier & Blok, Kornelis, 2021. "Plant siting and economic potential of ocean thermal energy conversion in Indonesia a novel GIS-based methodology," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
    23. Zhang, Zhixiang & Yuan, Han & Mei, Ning, 2023. "Theoretical analysis on extraction-ejection combined power and refrigeration cycle for ocean thermal energy conversion," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 273(C).
    24. Yang, Min-Hsiung & Yeh, Rong-Hua, 2014. "Analysis of optimization in an OTEC plant using organic Rankine cycle," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 25-34.
    25. Takvor H. Soukissian & Dimitra Denaxa & Flora Karathanasi & Aristides Prospathopoulos & Konstantinos Sarantakos & Athanasia Iona & Konstantinos Georgantas & Spyridon Mavrakos, 2017. "Marine Renewable Energy in the Mediterranean Sea: Status and Perspectives," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-56, September.

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