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Ocean thermal energy conversion: Current overview and future outlook

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  • Tanner, Dylan

Abstract

A NASA report published in 1972(1) predicted that by using OTEC to tap the thermal energy of the Gulf Stream, the electricity needs of the US could be provided for. However, despite over one hundred years of research and development activity around the world, OTEC has not yet been commercialised. The research associated with this paper was conducted out of a curiosity as to why this remains so. Either OTEC is one of a long list of technologies, full of potential in theory, but in reality impractical, or there are other reasons why OTEC has not lived up to its often stated potential. The main purpose of the paper is to come to a conclusion as to the expected future of OTEC, and offer some suggestions as to how its development could be facilitated. A conclusion of this project that the viability of OTEC could be increased by a greater attention to the needs and conditions present in the intended markets. New energy technologies inherently face barriers in their acceptance by the energy industry, so it is important to ensure a realistic and commercial strategy is adopted in their development. Another conclusion of this paper is that one of the most promising market for OTEC as an energy generation source, in the short term, appears to be the Republic of China (Taiwan). The combination of geographic suitability, recent environmental awareness, lack of natural energy resources, and economic prosperity make it an ideal candidate for OTEC development.

Suggested Citation

  • Tanner, Dylan, 1995. "Ocean thermal energy conversion: Current overview and future outlook," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 6(3), pages 367-373.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:6:y:1995:i:3:p:367-373
    DOI: 10.1016/0960-1481(95)00024-E
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    Cited by:

    1. 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).
    2. Hung, T.C. & Wang, S.K. & Kuo, C.H. & Pei, B.S. & Tsai, K.F., 2010. "A study of organic working fluids on system efficiency of an ORC using low-grade energy sources," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(3), pages 1403-1411.
    3. Jung, Jung-Yeul & Lee, Ho Saeng & Kim, Hyeon-Ju & Yoo, Yungpil & Choi, Woo-Young & Kwak, Ho-Young, 2016. "Thermoeconomic analysis of an ocean thermal energy conversion plant," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 1086-1094.
    4. Devis-Morales, Andrea & Montoya-Sánchez, Raúl A. & Osorio, Andrés F. & Otero-Díaz, Luis J., 2014. "Ocean thermal energy resources in Colombia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 759-769.
    5. Lipman, Tim & Shah, Nihar, 2007. "Ammonia as an Alternative Energy Storage Medium for Hydrogen Fuel Cells: Scientific and Technical Review for Near-Term Stationary Power Demonstration Projects, Final Report," Institute of Transportation Studies, Research Reports, Working Papers, Proceedings qt7z69v4wp, Institute of Transportation Studies, UC Berkeley.
    6. Faizal, Mohammed & Ahmed, M. Rafiuddin, 2013. "Experimental studies on a closed cycle demonstration OTEC plant working on small temperature difference," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 234-240.
    7. 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.

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