Ocean Energy

Oceans of Energy

Oceans cover 70% of earth’s surface

+ 30% of population lives within 60 miles of coast

3 Forms:
1. Tidal (High=2.7 TW-18% Low=360 GW-2.5%)
2. OTEC (Theoretical = 200 TW = 13x global demand)
3. Wave (Equivalent to tidal = 18%)
 Overview of Ocean Energy

-ocean energy is replenished by the sun and through tidal influences of the
moon’s and sun’s gravitational forces

-near-surface winds induce wave action and cause wind-blown currents at

about 3% of the wind speed

-tides cause strong currents into and out of coastal basins and rivers

-ocean surface heating by some 70% of the incoming sunlight adds to the
surface water thermal energy, causing expansion and flow

-wind energy is stronger over the ocean due to less drag, although
technically, only sea breezes are from ocean energy
Source of Ocean Wave Energy
 Applications

• Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) systems have many applications or uses.
• OTEC can be used to generate electricity, desalinate water, support deep-water mariculture,
and provide refrigeration and air-conditioning as well as aid in crop growth and mineral
extraction.
 Electricity Production

• Two basic OTEC system designs have been

demonstrated to generate electricity: closed
cycle and open cycle.
 Closed-Cycle OTEC System

• In the closed-cycle OTEC system, warm seawater vaporizes a

working fluid, such as ammonia, flowing through a heat
exchanger (evaporator).
Open-cycle OTEC

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 Open-Cycle OTEC System

• In an open-cycle OTEC system, warm seawater is the working fluid. The

warm seawater is "flash"-evaporated in a vacuum chamber to produce
steam at an absolute pressure of about 2.4 kilopascals (kPa).
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 Hybrid OTEC System

• A hybrid cycle combines the features of both the closed-cycle and open-
cycle systems.
• In a hybrid OTEC system, warm seawater enters a vacuum chamber where
it is flash-evaporated into steam, which is similar to the open-cycle
evaporation process.
Table compiled from International Energy Agency, Policy Report, 2006
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