Module 5

A. Sea Wave Energy

5.1 INTRODUCTION
Waves get their energy from the solar energy through the wind. Wave energy will
never be depleted as long as the sun shines. Energy intensity may, however, have
variation but it is available 24 h a day in the entire year. The movement of the ocean
water and the changing water wave heights and speed of the swells are the main
sources of wave energy. Kinetic energy in the wave motion is tremendous that can be
extracted by the wave power devices from either the surface motion of ocean waves
or from pressure fluctuations below the ocean surface.

5.2 MOTION IN THE SEA WAVES

When the wind blows across smooth water surface, air particles from the wind grab
the water molecules they touch. Stretching of the water surface by the force or
friction between the air and the water creates capillary waves (small wave ripples).
Surface tension acts on these ripples to restore the smooth surface, and thereby,
waves are formed.

The combination of forces due to the gravity, sea surface tension, and wind
intensity are the main factors of origin of sea waves as shown in Figure. Wave size
is determined by wind speed and fetches (defined as the distance over which the
wind excites the waves) and by the depth and topography of these abed (which can
focus or disperse the energy of the waves). Sea waves have a regular shape at far
distance from the fetch and this phenomenon is called swell. Wave formation makes
the water surface further rough and the wind continuously grips the roughened water
surface, and thus, waves are intensified.

Figure Sea wave formation by storm

 A wave is a forward motion of energy and not the water in deep sea. In true sense,
the seawater does not move forward with a wave. Waves are characterized by the
following parameters, as shown in Figure.

1. Crest: The peak point (the maximum height) on the wave is called the crest.
2. Trough: The valley point (the lowest point) on the wave is called the trough.
3. Wave height (H): Wave height is a vertical distance between the wave crest
and the next trough (m).
4. Amplitude (α): It is defined as H/2 (m).
5. Wave length (λ): It is the horizontal distance either between the two successive
crests or troughs of the ocean waves (m).

Figure Sea wave propagation

6. Wave propagation velocity (v): The motion of seawater in a direction (m/s).

7. Wave period (T): It measures the size of the wave in time(s). It is the time
required for two successive crests or two successive troughs to pass a point in
space.
8. Frequency (f): The number of peaks (or troughs) that pass a fixed point per
second is defined as the frequency of wave and is given by f = 1/T (cycle/s).

5.3 WAVE ENERGY AVAILABILITY

The density of water is about 800 times higher than air, and therefore, the energy
density of ocean waves are significantly several times more than air. The amount of
energy available in ocean waves is tremendously high, and hence, it is considered as
a renewable, zero emission source of power. Estimates of the global ocean wave
energy are more than 2 TW (which means 17,500 TWh/year) according to the World
Energy Council.

Wave power is distinct from the diurnal flux of tidal power and the steady gyre of
ocean currents. This huge amount of renewable and environmentally acceptable wave
energy, if extracted and utilized, has competitiveness with fossil and nuclear fuels.
 Wave energy is converted into electricity by placing wave energy converter on the
surface of the ocean. The electrical energy generated is the most often used in
desalination plants, power supply to electrical consumers, and energizing water
pumps.

They are mostly using the first generation oscillating water columns (OWS)
converters. Other technologies such as the Japanese Pendulor and the Tapchan can
also be fit in this category.

These ocean wave energy technologies rely on the up-and-down motion of waves
to generate electricity.

Several installations have been built in Scotland, Portugal, Norway, the USA,
China, Japan, Australia, and India. The next generation of devices comprises new,
modular floating devices, but these require further research and/or demonstration.

A few installation of wave power converts are as follows:

1. The first wave-power patent was for a 1799 proposal by a Parisian named
Monsieur Girard and his son got patented the first wave power converter in
1979 to use direct mechanical action to drive pumps, saws, mills, or other
heavy machinery.
2. During the first decades of the 19th century, a device was put in operation in
Algeria that captured wave oscillation and transformed it into usable form by
using a system of cams and gears.
3. A 10-kW complaint flap pilot plant was installed in the Baltic sea in 1917 and
later on dismantle.
4. Pelamis became the world’s first offshore wave machine to generate electricity
and fed into the grid, when it was first connected to the UK grid in 2004.
5. Salter Duck wave converter was developed around 1980 in UK.
6. A 120 kW (Oscillating wave column) prototype (The Mighty Whale) with 3
OWCs in a row has been operating since 1998 (1.5 km off Nansei Town,
Japan) at 40 m depth
7. A 2 MW (AWS) system off the coast of Portugal.
8. The prototype (Wave Dragon) is deployed in Nissum Bredning, an inlet in the
northern part of Denmark.
9. A 40 m long prototype (McCabe Wave Pump) was deployed in 1996 off the
coast of Kilbaha, County Clare, Ireland
10. A typical 30 MW (Pelamis) installation would occupy a square kilometre of
ocean and provides sufficient electricity for 20,000 homes.
11. A 750 kW project (Pelamis) off Islay, Scotland.
12. A 2 MW (Pelamis) project off the coast of Vancouver Island, Canada.
13. A 5 MW (perhaps the world’s first commercial wave energy plant) developed
by Wave Gen is located in Isle of Islay, Scotland.
5.3.1 Wave Energy Availability in India

The coastal area of Maharashtra has an annual wave potential ranging between 4
kW/m and 8 kW/m wavefront, which is quite high as 12–20 kW/m during the
monsoon.

The wave energy potential of the most feasible sites in Maharashtra is given in
Table for offshore location.

Table Offshore Location of Wave Power in Maharashtra

Coastal average power location site in Maharashtra is given in Table below.

Table Coastal Average Power Location Site in Maharashtra

The Vengurla and Malvan rocks and Redi are on the top among the offshore
locations. In the coastal location, however, Pawa and Ratnagiri top the list followed
by Girye and Miyet point.
 Vizhinjam fishing harbour, Kerala, is the site of a unique demonstration plant that
converts sea wave energy to electricity and is given to the local grid. This plant has
oscillating water column (OWC) converter in 1990.

5.4 DEVICES FOR HARNESSING WAVE ENERGY

There are three basic technologies for converting wave energy to electricity. They are
as follows:

1. Terminator devices: It is a wave energy device oriented perpendicular to the

direction of the wave and has one stationary and one moving part. The moving
part moves up and down like a car piston in response to ocean waves and
pressurizes air or oil to drive a turbine. An oscillating water column (OWC)
converter is an example of terminator device. These devices generally have
power ratings of 500 kW to 2 MW, depending on the wave parameters and the
device dimensions.

2. Attenuator devices: These devices are oriented parallel to the direction of the
waves and are long multi-segment floating structures. It has a series of long
cylindrical floating devices connected to each other with hinges and anchored
to the seabed. They ride the waves like a ship, extracting energy by using
restraints at the bow of the device and along its length. The segments are
connected to hydraulic pumps or other converters to generate power as the
waves move across. Pelamis wave energy converter is one of the known
examples of attenuator devices.

3. Point absorber: It is a floating structure with parts moving relative to each

other owing to wave action but it has no orientation in any defined way
towards the waves instead absorbs the wave energy coming from any
direction. It utilizes the rise and fall of the wave height at a single point for
energy conversion. The pressurized water creates up and down bobbin-type
motion and drives a built-in turbine generator system to generate electricity.
AquaBuOY WEC is an example of point absorber devices.

4. Overtopping devices: These devices have reservoirs like a dam that are filled
by incoming waves, causing a slight build-up of water pressure. Gravity causes
released water from reservoir to flow back into the ocean through turbine
coupled to an electrical generator. Salter Duck WEC is the example of
overtopping devices.
5.4.1 Float or Buoy Devices

This system is shown in Figure. A series of anchored buoys rise and fall with the
wave that creates mechanical energy to drive electrical generator for generation of
electricity, which is transmitted to ocean shore by underground cables.

Figure Float or buoy device

5.4.2 Oscillating Water Column Devices

An oscillating water column device (OWC device) is shown in Figure. It is a form of

terminator in which water enters through a subsurface opening into a chamber,
trapping air above. The wave action causes the captured water column to move up
and down like a piston, forcing the air though an opening connected to a turbine to
generate power.

Figure Schematic of an oscillating water column device

It is a shoreline-based oscillating water column (OWC) build in UK. Further, it is

installed at Islay. It is a concrete structure partially submerged in seawater and
encloses a column of air on top of a column of water. The water columns in partially
submerged chamber rise and fall, when sea waves impinge on the device. This wave
action alternatively compresses and depressurizes the air column, which is allowed to
flow to and from the atmosphere via a turbine. The energy can then be extracted from
the system and used to generate electricity.

Wells’ turbines as shown in Figure are used to extract energy from the reversing
air flow. It has the property of rotating in the same direction regardless of the
direction to the airflow.

Figure Well’s turbine (a) plan view of blades and (b) velocity and force triangles
in frame of reference of blades

5.4.3 Pendulum System

The pendulum system is a shoreline device that consists of a parallelepiped concrete

box, which is open to the sea at one end, as shown in Figure.

Figure Pendulum devices

A pendulum flap is hinged over this opening, which swings back and forth by the
actions of the waves. The back and forth motion of pendulum is then used to power a
hydraulic pump and an electric generator.

5.4.4 TAPCHAN (Tapered Channel)

The schematic arrangement of TAPCHAN device (a Norwegian system) is shown in

Figure. It has a tapered channel connected to a reservoir constructed above the sea
level at a height of 3–5 m. They are relatively low power output devices and suitable
for deep-water shore line and low tidal range. It is a very simple device. Waves
collect into a channel, which tapers into a large reservoir. As the wave width
decreases, the wave amplitude increases according to the principles of conservation
of energy and this enables the waves to travel up a ramp and pour into the reservoir
as shown in Figure.

Figure TAPCHAN

The potential energy of water stored in the reservoir is extracted by releasing the
reservoir water back to the sea through a low head Kaplan turbine coupled to an
electrical generator.

5.4.5 Salter’s Duck System

Salter Duck WEC is the example of overtopping devices. It was invented in Scotland
in 1970 to extract mechanical energy from the ocean waves. The schematic cross
section of Salter Duck is given in Figure.

Figure Salter duck

It is an egg-shaped device that moves with the motion of the waves. The shape of
leading edge of the duck is in such a way that the approaching sea wave pressure is
exerted on the duck. It forces the duck to rotate about a central axis and the tip of the
cam bobs up and down in the water. As the Salter Duck moves (or bobs or rocks) up
and down on the sea waves, pendulum connected to electrical generator swings
forward and backward to generate electricity. Two sets of cables are attached to the
device, one to a pendulum inside the device and the other to a fixed arm outside the
device. The cables attached to the internal pendulum contain hydraulics that pumps
as the device moves back and forth with the waves. This movement of the
pressurized oil pumped into hydraulic machine that drives electric generators.

5.4.6 Offshore Wave Dragon System

The wave dragon is an overtopping device that elevates ocean waves to a reservoir
above sea level as shown in Figure. Water is let out through a number of turbines,
and in this way, it is transformed into electricity. The basic idea of this system
consists of two large ‘arms’ that focus waves up a ramp into a reservoir. The water
returns to the ocean by the force of gravity via a low head hydro turbine that drives
an electric generator.

Figure Offshore wave dragon devices

5.4.7 Bristol Cylinder

The Bristol cylinder operates under the sea level, as shown in Figure. It consists of a
floating cylinder that collected the wave’s movement. The cylinder is mechanically
connected to the energy unit by flexible joints and rods. The rods are moving slowly
with cylinder and the reciprocating motion is transferred to the axels in converter
unit.

Figure Bristol cylinder devices

When transferring converter movements with mechanical arms and rotation to the
generator, the efficiency should be kept as high as possible.
5.4.8 Archimedes Wave Swing Devices

The Archimedes wave swing device (shown in Fig. ) is an underwater buoy of which
the upper part (floater) moves up and down in the wave, while the lower part stays in
position. The floater (air-filled chamber) is pushed down under a wave crest (top)
and moves up under a wave trough (valley). The interior of the system is pressurized
with air and serves as an air spring. The mechanical power is converted into electrical
power by means of a power take-off system (PTO). The PTO consists of a linear
electrical generator and a nitrogen filled damping cylinder.

Figure Archimedes waves swing device

It has the advantage of being a ‘point’ absorber that absorbs power from waves
travelling in all directions, and extracts about 50% of the incident wave power in
addition to the advantage of being able to survive despite rough sea conditions on the
surface.

5.5 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF WAVE POWER

Advantages

1. Sea waves have high energy densities and provide a consistent stream of
electricity generation capacity.
2. Wave energy is clean source of renewable energy with limited negative
environmental impacts.
3. It has no greenhouse gas emissions or water pollutants.
4. Operating cost is low and operating efficiency is optimal.
5. Damage to ocean shoreline is reduced.
Disadvantages

1. High construction costs.

2. Marine life is disrupted and displaced.
3. Damage to the devices from strong storms and corrosion create problems.
4. Wave energy devices could have an effect on marine and recreation
environment.

5.6 KEY ISSUES

In general, the key issues affecting wave power devices are as follows:

1. Energy barriers: The main wave energy barriers result from the energy carrier
itself. The peak-to-average load ratio in the sea is very high and difficult to
predict.
2. Navigational hazards: Offshore wave energy devices may be a potential
navigation hazard to ships. Near shore devices will have a visual impact
3. Survivability in violent storms: The structural loading in the event of extreme
weather conditions, such as hurricanes and Tsunami may be as high as 100
times the average loading.
4. Vulnerability of moving parts to seawater: Damage due to strong storms and
corrosion is expected.
5. High capital and operational cost: High construction costs induce high power
generation costs, thus making the technology uncompetitive.

The incidence of wave power at deep ocean sites is three to eight times the wave
power at adjacent coastal sites, but the cost of electricity transmission from deep
ocean sites is often prohibitively high.

B. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

5.7 INTRODUCTION
Low-temperature heat obtained from renewable energy resources, such as solar
thermal, geothermal, ocean thermal, etc. is presently converted into electricity and
utilized for direct heating applications. About 70% of earth’s surface is covered by
ocean which is continuously heated by solar heat. Solar heat is stored as uneven
distribution of heat between warm surface water and cold deep ocean water (called
gradient) from where it is harnessed as ocean thermal energy.

OTEC sites that are located between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn
(23.5°N and 23.5°S of equator) found to be best locations. Ocean water with
temperature gradient of 5°C and more is known as ocean thermal energy.
 However, significant amount of electric power can be generated in the location
where a temperature difference of 20°C and above exists between warm surface
water and cold deep water.

In many regions, ocean surface water is generally maintained at 25°C or above and
more than 1,000 metres below the surface is generally at about 5°C. Since average
temperature in Baltic Sea is about 10°C, setting up of OTEC electrical power plant is
not profitable.

Therefore, OTEC is an energy technology that converts solar radiation to electric

power through heat of ocean water. These systems use ocean’s natural thermal
gradient. As long as the temperature difference between the warm surface water and
the cold deep water below 600 metres by about 20°C, an OTEC system can produce
a significant amount of power. Thus, oceans are vast renewable resources with the
potential to produce thousands of kW of electric power.

The cold deep sea water used in the OTEC system is also rich in nutrients, and it
can be used to cultivate plant and marine organism near the shore or on land.

5.8 PRINCIPLE OF OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION

The basic principle of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) is explained as
follows:

The warm water from the ocean surface is collected and pumped through the heat
exchanger to heat and vapourize a working fluid, and it develops pressure in a
secondary cycle. Then, the vapourized working fluid expands through a heat engine
(similar to a turbine) coupled to an electric generator that generates electrical power.
Working fluid vapour coming out of heat engine is condensed back into liquid by a
condenser. Cold deep ocean water is pumped through condenser where the vapour is
cooled and returns to liquid state. The liquid (working fluid) is pumped again through
heat exchanger and cycle repeats. It is known as closed-cycle OTEC.

If ocean surface water is high, enough propane or similar material is used as

working fluid; otherwise, for low-temperature surface water, fluid such as ammonia
with low boiling point is used.

In an open-cycle OETC, warm ocean surface water is pumped into a low-pressure

boiler to boil and produce steam. Then, the steam is used in steam turbine to drive an
electrical generator for producing electrical power. The cold deep sea water is used in
condenser to condense steam.

Some fractions of electrical power generated by OTEC plants are used for
operating and controlling equipments involved in power plants, and high electrical
power is used for feeding to several other energy consumers.
5.9 OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION PLANTS
There are two different kinds of OTEC power plants, namely land-based power plant
and floating power plant.

5.9.1 Land-based Power Plant

The land-based power plant will consist of a building as shown in Figure.

Figure Land-based OTEC power plant

It is constructed on shore and accommodates all parts of OTEC plants. It requires

laying down long pipes from plant site on shore to two extreme points of necessary
temperature gradient. One pipe is used to collect warm ocean surface water through
screened enclosure near the shore. Another long pipe lay down on the slope deep into
the ocean to collect cold water.

A third pipe is used as outlet to discharge used water again in ocean via marine
culture ponds deep down the ocean. Cost of pipe installation and maintenance is very
expensive, and land-based plant is also very expensive. Since large electricity is used
to pump water through long pipes, the net electricity reduces considerably.

Land-based OTEC plant has the advantage of savings on electrical transmission

line and connectivity to electrical power grid.

5.9.2 Floating Power Plant

Floating power plant is built on a ship platform exactly where required temperature
gradient sufficient for OTEC plant is available. The working principle of ocean
thermal energy conversion (OTEC) is same as that of land-based power plant.
Undoubtedly, the cost savings exist on piping system, but long transmission line is
required to transmit electrical power from plant to sea shore.

Owing to high installation cost of long underwater power cables and its
inefficiency and many other associated problems, floating OTEC plants are
considered for the production of fuels, such as hydrogen, on the platform itself by the
electrolysis of water.

Figure Submersible OTEC plant designed by lockheed

Figure Floating OTEC power plant

Cold water pipe is the largest single item in the land-based plant design, as the slopes
are seldom larger than 15° or more. If 1,000-metres-long vertical pipe with 10 to 15
m diameter used in floating plant, the length of land-based plant considering slope
will be about three times.

5.10 BASIC RANKINE CYCLE AND ITS WORKING

The basic Rankine cycle shown in Figure consists of the following:

1. An evaporator
2. A turbine expander
 Figure OTEC Rankine cycle

3. A condenser
4. A pump
5. A working fluid

In open-cycle OTEC, warm sea water is used as working fluid, whereas in closed-
cycle type, low-boiling point ammonia or propane is used.

Warm ocean surface water flows into the evaporator which is the high-temperature
heat source. A fluid pump is utilized to force the fluid in a heat evaporator where
liquid fluid vapourizes. Then, the vapour of boiling fluid enters the turbine expander
coupled with an electrical generator to generate electrical power. The vapour released
from the turbine enters into condenser where it condenses. The cold deep sea water is
pumped through the condenser for heat rejection from vapour fluid and condenses it
as liquid fluid. The liquid fluid is again pumped through evaporator and cycle
repeats.

As temperature difference between high- and low-temperature ends is large

enough, the cycle will continue to operate and generate power.

5.10.1 Selection of Working Fluids

The steam Rankine cycle and organic Rankine cycle are the two main types used in
OTEC systems, and the choice of working fluids plays an important role in design
and performance of OTEC. Water is the only working fluid for steam Rankine cycle,
but a large number of working fluid is available for organic Rankine cycle. The
working fluid has the following properties:

1. Chemical stability and compatibility: Certain organic fluids are more prone to
decompose when subjected to high pressure and temperature which results in
material corrosion of different parts of plants, explosion etc. Thus, working
 fluid should be chemically stable and compatible with materials and structures
of OTEC plants.
2. Heat transfer coefficient: Low-thermal resistance of working fluids improves
heat transfer.
3. Flash point: A working fluid with a high flash point should be used in order to
reduce flammability.
4. Specific heat: A working fluid with a low specific heat should be used to
reduce load on the condenser.
5. Latent heat: A working fluid with a high latent heat should be used in order to
raise the efficiency of heat recovery.
6. Safety: Working fluid should be non-corrosive, non-toxic, and non-
inflammable having maximum allowable concentration and explosion limit for
safe and efficient operation of OTEC plants.
7. Environmental acceptability: Low-toxicity working fluid minimizes water
contamination. The environmental risk of OTEC plant is low.
8. Cost and availability: The ease of availability and low cost of working fluid is
also important.

5.11 CLOSED CYCLE, OPEN CYCLE, AND HYBRID CYCLE

There are three types of OTEC cycle designs, namely open cycle, closed cycle, and
hybrid cycle.

1. In an open cycle, warm sea water is pumped into a flash evaporator as working
fluid where it boils at low pressure and converts into steam. This steam
expands through low-pressure turbine which drives an electrical generator and
generates electricity. The steam released from turbine condensed in a
condenser by deep sea cold water as non-saline water. When non-condensable
gases are separated and exhausted, the non-saline water is either pumped in
marine culture ponds for freshwater applications or finally discharged in sea
surface water.
2. In closed cycle, organic fluid flows in a separate closed-cycle loop called
organic Rankine cycle. Warm sea surface water pumped through another pipe
vapourizes working fluid in heat exchangers to drive turbine generator, The
fluid vapour condenses into liquid form by deep sea water pumped in
condenser by a separate pumping system, The process of pumping liquid fluid
in an evaporator cycle is repeated.
3. A hybrid cycle is a combination of both closed and open cycle.

5.11.1 Open-cycle OTEC

An open-cycle OTEC uses the warm ocean surface water as working fluid. It is a
non-toxic and environment friendly fluid. The major components of this system are
shown in Figure. It consists of evaporator, low-pressure turbine coupled with
electrical generator, condenser, marine culture ponds, non-condensable gas exhaust,
and pumps.
Evaporator used in an open-cycle system is a flash evaporator in which warm sea
water instantly boils or flash in the chamber that has reduced pressure than
atmosphere or vacuum. It results in reduced vapourization pressure of warm sea
water.

A large turbine is required to accommodate large volumetric flow rates of low-

pressure steam, which is needed to generate electrical power, and is used with other
plant components in a similar manner. During vapourization process in an
evaporator, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide dissolved in sea water are separated
and are non-condensable. They are exhausted by non-condensable gas exhaust
system.

Condenser is used to condense vapour or steam released from steam turbine is

condensed by cold deep sea water and returned back to sea. If a surface condenser is
used, condensed steam (desalinated water) remains separated from cold sea water
and is pumped into marine culture ponds.

To avoid leakage of air in atmosphere and to prevent abnormal operation of plants,

perfect sealing of all components and piping systems is essential. The working
principles of open-cycle OTEC plants are explained as follows with the help of
Figure.

Figure Open-cycle OTEC

1. The warm ocean surface water is pumped into flash evaporator where it is
partially flashed into steam at a very low pressure. The remaining warm sea
water is discharged into the sea.
2. The low-pressure vapour (steam) expands in turbine to drive a coupled
electrical generator to produce electricity. A portion of electricity generated is
 consumed in plants to run pumps and for other work, and the remaining large
amount of electricity is stored as net electrical power.
3. The steam with many gases (such as oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide)
released from the turbine separated from sea water in an evaporator is pumped
into condenser. The steam is cooled in a condenser by cold deep sea water.
4. The condensed non-saline water is discharged either directly in deep sea cold
water or through the marine culture pond.
5. The non-condensable gases are compressed to pressure and exhausted
simultaneously.
6. The warm ocean surface water is continuously pumped into evaporator and
cycle repeats.

5.11.2 Closed-cycle OTEC

The schematic of closed-cycle OTEC is shown in Figure. It has different arrangement

when compared to open-cycle OTEC. Organic fluid with low boiling point is used as
working fluid. Ammonia liquid is the most widely used working fluid. Working fluid
flows in a closed loop and perfectly sealed piping system. Working fluid circulates
around the loop continuously.

Warm ocean surface water flows through completely separate piping system and
discharges in upper surface of ocean. Warm surface sea water and working fluid
piping are placed very closely to each other in a heat exchanger to transfer warm sea
water heat into working fluid.

The cold deep sea water piping system is in contact with working fluid piping system
in a condenser where working fluid condenses to its liquid state. Other components
of both open- and closed-cycle OTECs are similar. Working principles of closed-
cycle OTEC are as follows:

1. Working fluid is pumped through heat exchangers in a closed loop cycle which
is perfectly leakage proof.
2. Warm sea surface water is pumped through separate pipe in heat exchanger in
close contact with fluid closed loop cycle
3. Warm sea water transfer its heat energy to working fluid in heat exchanger and
working fluid vapourizes.
4. The fluid vapour makes the turbine to rotate and drive an electrical generator
to produce electricity.
5. Fluid vapour leaving the turbine is cooled and condensed as liquid fluid and is
pumped again to repeat cycle.
6. Cold deep sea water is pumped through a separate pipe in condenser for
providing efficient cooling of working fluid.
 Figure Closed-cycle OTEC plant

5.11.3 OTEC Hybrid Cycle

As shown in Figure, a hybrid cycle combines the features of both closed-cycle and
open-cycle systems. Warm sea water is pumped into a vacuum chamber where it is
used to flash and produces steam. Working fluid in another closed cycle loop is
evaporated and vapourized by steam in vacuum chamber. The fluid vapour rotates
the turbine and drive an electric generator to produce electricity.

Figure OTEC hybrid cycle

5.12 CARNOT CYCLE

The Carnot cycle is the most efficient thermodynamical cycle by exploiting the warm
sea surface water and cold deep sea water.
 Figure Carnot efficiency P–V diagram

Let W be the work done by the system (energy exiting the system as work), QH be the
heat put into the system (heat energy entering the system),

TC be the absolute temperature of the sea surface and

TH be the absolute temperature of the deep sea water hot reservoir.

5.13 APPLICATION OF OTEC IN ADDITION TO PRODUCE

ELECTRICITY
OTEC schematic diagram and applications are shown in Figure8. Ocean thermal
converting plants provide several products for use by mankind. These are explained
as follows:

Figure OTEC plant and applications

1. Electricity: Electrical energy is the primary product of OTEC plants. Laying
down long transmission and distribution cables up to the sea shore for
domestic and industrial applications is not practical from economic view point.
OTEC plants are, therefore, considered for other products and applications.

2. Hydrogen production: Electricity produced from OTEC plants is used for

separating water in hydrogen and oxygen by the method of electrolysis of
water. Hydrogen is considered as the second best usable form of energy after
electricity. Use of deep sea cold water and OTEC electricity for hydrogen
production signifies the important applications of OTEC plants.
3. Ammonia and methanol production: OTEC electricity can be used to obtain
by-products, such as ammonia and methanol, that can be transported either by
tankers or through pipe lines to on shore applications

4. Desalinated water: Desalinated water is produced in an open-cycle and

hybrid-type OTEC plants through surface condenser. It is freshwater and
widely used as water resource for drinking, agriculture, and industry.

5. Aquaculture: Nutrient-rich cold deep sea water provides sufficient

environment for fish farming which may create a profitable business activities.

6. Chilled soil agriculture: Chilled soil agriculture is another application of

OTEC plants. Cold deep sea water flowing through underground pipes chills
the surrounding soil. The temperature difference is maintained between plant
roots in the cool soil and plant leaves in the warm air, and thus, the tree and
plants grows. The amount of food that can be produced in this way is very
large, larger in market value than the electric power produced by the plant.

7. Air conditioning: Because the temperature is only a few degrees, cold water
can be used as a fluid in air condition systems.
5.14 ADVANTAGES, DISADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS OF
OTEC
Advantages

1. Ocean thermal energy is a renewable, clean natural resource available in

abundance.
2. It is pollution-free and has no greenhouse effects.
3. It is a good source of freshwater and portable water.

Disadvantages

1. High cost: Electricity generated by OTEC plants is more expensive than

electricity produced by chemical and nuclear fuels.
2. Complexity: OTEC plants must be located where a difference of about 20°C
occurs year round. Ocean depths must be available fairly close to shore-based
facilities for economic operation. Floating plant ships could provide more
flexibility.
3. Acceptability: For the large-scale production of electricity and other products,
OTEC plants are poorly acceptable due to their high costs.
4. Ecosystem damage: It is obvious by setting OTEC plants.
5. Lower efficiency: A higher temperature difference between ocean surface
warm water and cold deep ocean water is required for highly efficient
operation of plant.

Benefits as a Measure of the Value of OTEC

Economic and other benefits are the value of OTEC plants. These include the
following:

1. It is a clean, renewable natural resource available in plenty.

2. It has no environmental problems and greenhouse effects.
3. It is a source of base load electricity and fuels such as hydrogen, methanol, and
ammonia.
4. It provides freshwater for drinking, agriculture, and industry.
5. It encourages chilled agriculture and aquaculture.
6. Self-sufficiency, no environmental effects, and improved sanitation and
nutrition are the added benefits for island.
 Questions

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of sea wave power?

Ans : Refer 5.5

2. Explain how the temperature differences can be used to generate

electrical power using open cycle system?
Ans : Refer 5.11.1

3. Explain the closed cycle OTEC system with suitable block diagram
Ans : Refer 5.11.2

4. State the advantages, disadvantages and benefits of OTEC.

Ans : Refer 5.14

5. Explain various types of devices for harnessing sea wave energy.

Ans : Refer 5.4

6. Explain with diagram, principle of oscillating water column ocean wave

machine.
Ans : Refer 5.4.2

7. Explain the principle of ocean thermal energy conversion system.

Ans : Refer 5.8

8. What are the limitations of sea wave energy conversion.

Ans : Refer 5.6

9. With diagram, Explain the basic Rankine cycle and its working.
Ans : Refer 5.10

10. With diagram, Explain basic OTEC hybrid cycle.

Ans : Refer 5.11.3

11. Briefly discuss about the sea wave energy availability in India.
Ans : Refer 5.3.1