Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion - Definition;

It is one of the newest methods for generating electricity by using the heated water in the earths oceans through the differences in temperatures, between the top and depths of the oceans. If the difference in temperature among top and depth is more and more, OTEC which stands for ocean thermal energy conversion works more better and smart efficiency. Therefore, there are certain conditions which are more appropriate to form OTEC plants. These needed areas are existed in tropical sites between tropic of Capricorn and tropic of cancer. Producing more powers might depend on location where the stations are sited and depths, which affect on difference in temperature.

History;
We cannot say that OTEC technology is new, because in 1881 Jacques Arsene d'Arsonval, a French physicist, proposed tapping the thermal energy of the ocean. But a student is called Georges Claude built first OTEC plant 1930 in Cuba that produced 22 kilowatts of electricity by using low pressure turbines. Next, French scientists designed another 3-megawatt OTEC station but it was never constructed, because it was too expensive.

- Technologies; Closed-cycle;
This system uses fluid with a low-boiling point, such as ammonia, to rotate a turbine to generate electricity. Warm surface seawater is injected through a heat exchanger where the low-boiling-point fluid is vaporized. The resulting steam turns the turbo-generator. Cold deep-seawaterpumped through another heat exchangercondenses the vapor back into a liquid, which is then reused through the system.

 open-cycle;
This system uses tropical areas, heated surface to generate electricity. While the heated seawater is pumped in a low-pressure container, it boils. The resulting steam passes pipes, and then drives a low-pressure turbine connected to an electrical generator. Next, the steam leaves its salt behind in the low-pressure container to come up with fresh water. After that, It is condensed back into a liquid by exposure to cold
temperatures from deep-ocean water.

Applications; Generating electricity. Desalinate water. Support deep-water mariculture. Providing refrigeration & Air-conditioning. references;
http://www.energysavers.gov/renewable_energy/ocean http://www.nrel.gov/otec

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