OCEAN POWER FROM THE DEEP

The Third Form of Ocean Power; You’ve heard of tidal and wave. Now the DOE and Lockheed want to tackle 100-year-old ocean thermal.
Oso Oseguera, April 13, 2010 (Greentech Media)

"It's a form of energy that's been around for a century, doesn't emit carbon dioxide and won't run out. But will Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) really work?

"The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has given Lockheed Martin two grants totaling $1 million to begin to look at ways to generate electricity from the clash that occurs when chilly water from 2,000 feet below the ocean surface comes in contact with surface water."

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"With a sufficient temperature difference (~40° F) between the warm upper layer and the cold deep water, net power (power generated after subtracting the power needed to run the system) can be produced…Many attempts have been made to develop and refine OTEC technology. In 1881..in 1930…The United States became involved in OTEC research in 1974…Hawaii is often said to be the best U.S. location for OTEC, due to the warm surface water, excellent access to very deep, very cold water, and because Hawaii has the highest electricity costs in the U.S…

"Lockheed Martin's experience with OTEC technology dates back to 1979…Mini-OTEC… remains the world's only floating OTEC system to generate power beyond what is required for sustaining itself…"

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"Sea Water-based Air Conditioning (SWAC), which uses cold seawater near coastlines to supply air-conditioner coolant, could significantly reduce electric utility loads during high summer demand periods. In contrast to OTEC, SWAC is a proven technology currently used in Hawaii, Stockholm and Ottawa…Is OTEC more than a promise?

"Three types of basic OTEC processes exist: closed-cycle, open-cycle, and hybrid-cycle…[A]n OTEC plant could cost $150-250 million…Lockheed Martin is looking to install a pilot plant in the range of 5-10 MW…But first, Lockheed Martin will invest the initial grant funds to develop a tool to estimate how much energy can be extracted from the ocean's thermal layers…This information would let decision-makers evaluate the future of OTEC…Lockheed Martin is not alone on this research. Countries like France, Sweden, Tahiti, Taiwan and Japan are also doing their best…"