{"id":2754,"date":"2018-11-09T10:51:32","date_gmt":"2018-11-09T02:51:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.utm.my\/otec\/?page_id=2754"},"modified":"2020-12-10T16:41:20","modified_gmt":"2020-12-10T08:41:20","slug":"what-is-otec-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/research.utm.my\/otec\/what-is-otec-2\/","title":{"rendered":"What is OTEC?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.23.1″ background_image=”https:\/\/research.utm.my\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2019\/06\/37557.jpg”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.42)” border_radii=”on|25px|25px|25px|25px”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ text_font=”Average Sans|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”30px” text_orientation=”center” text_text_align=”center”]<\/p>\n

What is OTEC?<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22.3″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.4″ custom_padding=”30px|0px|22px|0px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”9px|||||”]<\/p>\n

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)<\/strong> is\u00a0<\/h2>\n

“… a method of converting part of the heat from the Sun which is stored in the surface layers of a body of water into electrical energy or energy product equivalent”<\/h3>\n

[Pub. L. 96-310, Sec. 9, July 17, 1980, 94 Stst. 946.<\/em>]<\/p>\n

\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||”]<\/p>\n

Principles of OTEC<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/research.utm.my\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2020\/12\/principleofotec-1-1024×553.png” title_text=”principleofotec” _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

The basis of OTEC technology is that water near the surface is heated by sunlight while seawater, deep in the dark, is much colder.\u00a0This technology is viable, primarily, in equatorial areas where the year-round temperature differential is at least 20\u00b0C (36\u00b0F).<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

OTEC plants work by using warm surface water to heat ammonia, or some other fluid that boils at a low temperature, to produce gas used to drive the turbines needed to produce electricity. The gas is then cooled by cold water pumped up from the ocean depths and the resulting fluid is recycled to help generate power.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

The oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth\u2019s surface and capture a large part of the sun\u2019s heat in the upper layers, making them the world\u2019s largest solar collectors and energy storage system. Utilizing just a small portion of this energy can cover the global energy need.<\/span><\/p>\n

The energy source of OTEC is free, available abundantly, and is continually being replenished as long as the sun shines and the natural ocean currents exist. Various renowned parties estimate the amount of energy that can be practically harvested to be\u00a0in the order of 3 to\u00a05 terawatts\u00a0(1 terawatt is 112\u00a0watts) of baseload power generation, without affecting the temperature of the ocean or the world\u2019s environment. That\u2019s about twice the global electricity demand.<\/span><\/p>\n

The oceans are thus a vast renewable resource, with the potential to contribute to the future energy mix, offering a sustainable electricity production method.<\/span><\/p>\n

(otecfoundation, published\u00a0October 25, 2012)<\/em><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”30px|0px|1px|0px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider divider_position=”center” _builder_version=”3.21.1″][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ custom_padding=”||2px|||”]<\/p>\n

Benefits of OTEC<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider divider_position=”center” _builder_version=”3.21.1″][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,1_5,1_5,1_5,1_5″ _builder_version=”3.25″ module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”48px|0px|24px|0px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ header_font=”|800|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#0c71c3″ header_font_size=”100px”]<\/p>\n

1<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”3.21.1″ toggle_font=”||||||||” custom_margin=”|-134px||||”][et_pb_accordion_item open=”on” _builder_version=”3.21.1″ text_orientation=”center” border_color_all=”#0c71c3″ box_shadow_style=”preset4″]<\/p>\n

It has the potential to provide a continuous baseload,\u00a0day and night (24\/7) and all year-round. This is advantageous for (remote) tropical and subtropical islands that have smaller electricity networks and\/or experience intermittent power. This will help them become more self-sufficient, energy wise.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_font=”||||||||” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”|||”][\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″][\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ text_font=”||||||||” header_font=”|800|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#0c71c3″ header_font_size=”100px”]<\/p>\n

2<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.7.4″ width=”166.8%” min_height=”302px” custom_margin=”|-61px||||”][et_pb_accordion_item open=”on” _builder_version=”3.21.1″ border_color_all=”#0c71c3″ box_shadow_style=”preset4″]<\/p>\n

Clean and safe water for drinking, nutrients to enhance the quality of fish farming, and cool greenhouses which enable food production in arid regions are some of its by-products.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″][\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.27.4″ header_font=”|800|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#0c71c3″ header_font_size=”100px”]<\/p>\n

3<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”3.21.1″ width=”100%”][et_pb_accordion_item open=”on” _builder_version=”3.21.1″ border_color_all=”#0c71c3″ box_shadow_style=”preset4″]<\/p>\n

Energy savings of up to 90% can be achieved by using the cold, deep seawater in<\/span>\u00a0building air-conditioning systems.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”25px|0px|1px|0px|false|false”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider divider_position=”center” _builder_version=”3.21.1″][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″]<\/p>\n

By-Products of OTEC<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider divider_position=”center” _builder_version=”3.21.1″][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||”]<\/p>\n

1) Clean and Safe Drinking Water:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

A small 1MW hybrid OTEC plant is capable of producing, approximately, 4500 m\u00b3 of water per day, an amount enough for a population of 20,000 people. OTEC-produced water compares favourably to those from standard desalination plants, in terms of quality and production costs.<\/p>\n

<\/h4>\n

\u00a02)\u00a0Food:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Nutrient-rich, cold, deep seawater from the OTEC plant can be discharged into large ponds, near shore or on land, where it can be used for multispecies mariculture, producing high yields.<\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/h4>\n

3) A Coolant:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The cold, deep seawater can be used to cool greenhouses, as seen in the Seawater Greenhouse project, and can be used for cold-bed agriculture. This water can also be used in air-conditioning systems and food refrigeration systems.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What is OTEC?Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is\u00a0 “… a method of converting part of the heat from the Sun which is stored in the surface layers of a body of water into electrical energy or energy product equivalent” [Pub. L. 96-310, Sec. 9, July 17, 1980, 94 Stst. 946.] Principles of OTECThe basis of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1906,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"OTEC Legal Definition:<\/b>\r\n\r\n\"\"<\/a>\r\n\r\n\"\"<\/a>\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\nENERGY PRODUCT EQUIVALENT\r\n\r\nAn energy carrier including, but not limited to, ammonia, hydrogen, or molten salts or an energy-intensive commodity, including, but not limited to, electrometals, fresh water, or nutrients for a aquaculture.\r\n

\r\n\r\n\"otec\"<\/a>\r\n

Schematic of OTEC system (Source:http:\/\/www.lockheadmartin.com\/us\/products\/otec.html<\/a>)<\/p>\r\nOcean thermal energy conversion relies on the fact that water near the surface is heated by sunlight while seawater deep in the dark is much colder. OTEC plants work by using warm surface water to heat ammonia or some other fluid that boils at a low temperature to produce gas used to drive the turbines needed to produce electricity. The gas is then cooled by cold water pumped up from the ocean depths and the resulting fluid is recycled to help generate power.\r\n\r\nThe oceans cover more than 70% of Earth\u2019s surface and capture a large part of the sun\u2019s heat in the upper layers, making them the world\u2019s largest solar collectors and energy storage system. Utilizing just a small portion of this energy, can cover the global energy need.\r\n\r\nThe energy source of OTEC is free, available abundantly and is continually being replenished as long as the sun shines and the natural ocean currents exist. Various renowned parties estimate the amount of energy that can be practically harvested to be\u00a0in the order of 3 to\u00a05 terawatts\u00a0(1 terawatt is 112\u00a0watts) of baseload power generation, without affecting the temperature of the ocean or the world\u2019s environment. That\u2019s about twice the global electricity demand. The oceans are thus a vast renewable resource, with the potential to contribute to the future energy mix offering a sustainable electricity production method (otecfoundation, Published\u00a0October 25, 2012).\r\n\r\nThe technology is viable primarily in equatorial areas where the year-round temperature differential is at least 20\u00b0C (36\u00b0F).\r\n

Benefits<\/h4>\r\nThe distinctive feature of OTEC is the potential to provide baseload electricity, which means day and night (24\/7) and year-round. This is a big advantage for for instance tropical islands that typically has a small electricity network, not capable of handling a lot of intermittent power.\r\n\r\nOTEC benefits\r\n\r\nNext to producing electricity, OTEC also offers the possibility of co-generating other synergistic products, like fresh water, nutrients for enhanced fish farming and seawater cooled greenhouses enabling food production in arid regions. Last but not least, the cold water can be used in building air-conditioning systems. Energy savings of up to 90% can be realized.\r\n
\r\n\r\nThe vast baseload OTEC resource could help many tropical and subtropical (remote) regions to become more energy self-sufficient.\r\n

Synergetic products<\/h4>\r\n