Renewable Energy From the Deep Ocean

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) process and an ideal location in Puerto rico

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• renewable
• ocean
• energy
• Puerto Rico
• OTEC
• PR
• deep

[michaelalanlee]

You have uploaded a very interesting video and I am really impressed with the technical knowledge that you demonstrate in responding to comments. You must be an engineer or physicist. It surprises me that you don't provide more information and commentary. I looked at your profile and the OAI website you reference but it still seems there is much left unsaid. For instance, it seems like government support for this appears and disappears depending on who is US president.

[TJPlocek]

@michaelalanlee I am a chemist who has built chemical plants in different parts of the world. Most of OTEC is chemical engineering with marine engineering needed for floating platforms and ocean discharge engineering (sanitary engineering) for land based systems. My partner is an expert in ocean discharge. OTEC needs the same pipes and pumps but flows both ways. The technology is proven so Government R&D funding is minimal. What additional information is wanted?

[NuMetal92]

According to the CIA Factbook the power consumption of Puerto Rico has been decreasing by roughly 1,300,000,000kWH between 2005 and 2009. So maybe, if you find an investor by the time they are being built you may end up needing only 30 Platforms :)

[TJPlocek]

@NuMetal92 Once the first one is operating hundreds will follow all over the tropics. The Gulf of Mexico will become a huge solar pond for OTEC while the slight cooling of the surface water will reduce Hurricane Intensity.

[NuMetal92]

@TJPlocek So do i understand it correctly that this method will only be applicable in this area of the ocean? Meaning this won't directly help countries in Europe for example?

[TJPlocek]

@NuMetal92 Open ocean plants within plus or minus 20 degrees latitude, to produce ammonia for transport could benefit energy consumers anywhere but direct electrical connections would probably be feasible for only a few hundred miles. Europe is too far for direct wire connection. Unoccupied atolls (of which there are thousands in the tropics) could be used to develop nearby ocean farming using the high nutrient discharge. Once started creative people will find many applications.

[popoIaman]

it would do puerto rico alot of good hope it happens soon this world needs a diffrent source of energy than oil

[tonitoplayboy]

esta solucion es mil veces mas segura y mejor q el gasoducto!

[TJPlocek]

@NuMetal92 A power purchase agreement (PPA) is needed first. Then it will take about two years to obtain the necessary permits (in Puerto Rico). Final design could take place simultaneously so that construction could start as soon as permits have been obtained. Construction would take 3-4 years. Existing commercial turboexpanders would be used with the largest about 10 MW net output. This means that a land based 10 MW plant would be possible for under $100 million.

[NuMetal92]

@TJPlocek so lets say you find someone who is willing to invest a few billion dollars into this project, when would you be able to start building them and what do you estimate how long it would take until they could be put to use?

[TJPlocek]

@MarcLira66

Aquaculture is one of the valuable long term co-products. A 100 MW OTEC Unit would produce enough deep ocean nutrient to produce about 70 TONS per day of shellfish meat based on studies done on St. Croix in the 1970s. About half of all the wild caught fish in the ocean is caught where there are natural upwellings. If OTEC discharge is kept in the photropic zone, it would replicate natural upwelling. See our web site presentations for more info.

[TJPlocek]

@GrayskullProductions

It is expensive to build a commercial unit. The first 75 MW unit will cost in the range of $600 million, but will produce 600 million KWH of base load electricity per year for around 30 years. Some components will last much longer.  This will be cost competitive as long as oil stays above $60 per barrel.