Alternative Energy Sources Session Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion: Technology Development

摘要

The United States is developing four ocean-energy technologies with significant promise: ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), wave power, ocean currents, and salinity gradients. The major funding emphasis has been in OTEC. This paper summarizes the technical developments, the accomplishments and major findings, the remaining problems, and the proposed plans for the future. The overall objective of the OTEC Engineering Research and Technology Development Program is to demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility, first of a pilot plant of about 40 MWe, followed by larger commercial demonstration plants in the 100- to 400-MWe class. The program's goal is to continually minimize engineering risk and reduce costs, especially for eventual commercial applications.