OVERVIEW OF OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSATION CAPABILITIES, USING MERCATOR GLORYS2V1 REANALYSIS

摘要

Oceanography can provide “efficiency” maps for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) implantation. OTEC industry is constrained by: vertical temperature gradient ; collecting system depth ; vicinity to energy users and distribution area ; coastal, hydrodynamical constraints (currents, vertical shear, sea state, tides…). The Mercator Océan GLORYS2V1 (G2V1) global reanalysis is used to provide a realistic description of the ocean thermodynamics over the 1992-2009 period. G2V1 is eddy-permitting, based on the NEMO OGCM, at ?° global resolution, and assimilates satellite altimetry, ARGO and other in-situ and remote sensing observations. Using thermal content criteria, G2V1 allows characterising OTEC potential areas worldwide. The thermal content at interannual, seasonal and intraseasonal time scale is assessed in every basin to map the OTEC usefulness from surface to 2000-mdepth. Most potential OTEC areas are located in the tropical region. Due to ocean heat transport and content variability, some tropical areas can be excluded. Once identified, potential areas should be subject to subsequent studies, to fully address technical issues prior any OTEC power plant installation.