Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Essay -- Informative Essay

Ocean Thermal heftiness Conversion (OTEC) is the process of converting the ocean water supplys temperature difference at different depths into working(a) energy. From the solar heated upper depths of the ocean to the cooler depths downstairs 2,000 feet a 40 degree temperature difference must be maintained to generate electricity. This is a relatively new and unheard of source of energy. Many populate atomic number 18 not aware of the many benefits of OTEC and the impact it give have in the afterlife as the use of fossil fuel conversion declines. Heightened environmental concerns in todays earthly concern makes OTEC an attractive alternative for energy conversion. The ocean offers a natural and renewable resource which will make it possible for converting energy this way to last for a very long, long time. OTEC is a very cost effective mode of using the oceans waters for energy conversion but its use and benefits to society have been obscure to the general public. In the com ing years OTEC will in all likelihood be at the forefront of new energy resources and a good understanding of it know will prove invaluable to power engineers of the future. How does Thermal Energy Conversion Work?OTEC is a form of solar power in that it uses the suns energy to heat the upper depths of the oceans waters. Since the suns energy cannot penetrate very deep depths (approximately 2000ft.) the temperature below these levels is much colder then those near the surface. Most of the solar energy is absorbed in the top layer (35 to 100 m) of water. This upper layer of warm water is very uniformed in temperature because wind and waves cause the water to circulate and mix. The temperature in this layer can reach close to 82 F (28 C ) from regions close the equator. Beyond this layer the temperature drops noticeably with the depth until 800 m to1000 m. At this depth the temperature is 40 F (4.4 C ). From here the temperature changes very gradually. The colder water at these great depths is the result of melting ice in the polar regions. The colder water has a higher density than the warmer water which causes two important events. first of all the higher density water will sink and displace the lighter, warm water. Secondly, the rotation of the earth forces the heavier cold water to move toward the equator. Because of this, the ocean provides a double reservoir of cold and warm water that can differ in temperature of 40 to 45 F ( 22 to... ...implementation. The system is still in dour research to bring these costs down and also to make improvements on the system. Although the full scale commercial size systems are not practical at this time, small scale experimental plant systems are being for further research. OTEC is expected to make an impact on the future. The Future of OTECOTEC is a very kindle new way of energy conversion. People are skeptical about new and innovative ideas because of their unfamiliarity and lack ofknowledge about the idea. This h olds true with OTEC. Many people are unaware of what OTEC is and the benefits that OTEC holds for the future of our Earth. Much more development and research must be made to make OTEC a large scale proceeding and to bring the cost to consumers down. This is only going to happen if people are made aware of OTEC and its many possibilities. OTEC has many environmental benefits and can produce the world s necessary energy needs for a very long time (it is after all a renewable energy source). We are quite certain that in the upcoming years OTEC will become a much more publicized topic and greater research will come about to produce a fully sized commercial plant.