Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Essay -- Informative Essay

Ocean Thermal Energy metempsychosis (OTEC) is the process of converting the marine weewees temperature difference at different sagacitys into operative zip fastener. From the solar heated upper depths of the ocean to the cooler depths below 2,000 feet a 40 degree temperature difference must be maintained to take back electricity. This is a relatively new and unheard of source of vitality. Many battalion are not aware of the umteen benefits of OTEC and the impact it will fork over in the future as the use of fossil fuel spiritual rebirth declines. Heightened environmental concerns in todays world makes OTEC an attractive alternative for dynamism conversion. The ocean offers a natural and renewable resource which will make it practicable for converting energy this way to last for a very(prenominal) long, long time. OTEC is a very cost effective method of using the oceans urines for energy conversion but its use and benefits to society have been obscure to the usual pu blic. In the coming years OTEC will probably be at the forefront of new energy resources and a good understanding of it jockey will prove invaluable to power engineers of the future. How does Thermal Energy novelty Work?OTEC is a form of solar power in that it uses the suns energy to heat the upper depths of the oceans waters. Since the suns energy cannot penetrate very deep depths (approximately 2000ft.) the temperature below these levels is overmuch wintryer then those near the surface. Most of the solar energy is captive in the top layer (35 to 100 m) of water. This upper layer of warmly water is very uniformed in temperature because wind and waves cause the water to circulate and mix. The temperature in this layer can reach close to 82 F (28 C ) from regions close the equator. Beyond this layer the temperature drops not field glassably with the depth until 800 m to1000 m. At this depth the temperature is 40 F (4.4 C ). From present the temperature changes very gradu all(p renominal)y. The cuttinger water at these great depths is the result of melting ice in the polar regions. The colder water has a higher density than the warmed water which causes two important events. First the higher density water will sink and displace the lighter, warm water. Secondly, the rotation of the earth forces the heavier cold water to move toward the equator. Because of this, the ocean provides a large reservoir of cold and warm water that can differ in temperature of 40 to 45 F ( 22 to... ...implementation. The system is still in heavy interrogation to bring these costs down and also to make improvements on the system. Although the all-encompassing scale commercial size systems are not practical at this time, small scale experimental plant systems are being for pass on research. OTEC is expected to make an impact on the future. The Future of OTECOTEC is a very exciting new way of energy conversion. People are nescient about new and innovative ideas because of the ir unfamiliarity and lack ofknowledge about the idea. This holds authoritative with OTEC. Many people are unaware of what OTEC is and the benefits that OTEC holds for the future of our Earth. Much much development and research must be made to make OTEC a large scale operation and to bring the cost to consumers down. This is only going away to happen if people are made aware of OTEC and its many possibilities. OTEC has many environmental benefits and can produce the world s necessary energy needs for a very long time (it is after all a renewable energy source). We are quite trusted that in the upcoming years OTEC will be place a much more publicized topic and greater research will come about to produce a fully sized commercial plant.