OTEC energy is based on the temperature differences between surface water, which is heated by the sun, and deep water, which stays very cold. OTEC uses the surface water to make steam and then pass the steam through a turbine generator to make electricity.
Wind energy is an indirect form of solar energy. While some of the sun's energy is absorbed directly by the air, most of the energy in the wind is first absorbed by the surface of the earth and then transferred to the air by convection.
With the oceans covering over 70% of the earth’s surface, they are the world’s largest collectors of the sun’s vast energy – and the largest powerhouse in the world. Just a small portion of the energy conveniently stored in the oceans could power the world.
Waves get their energy from the wind. Wind comes from solar energy. Waves gather, store, and transmit this energy thousands of miles with little loss. As long as the sun shines, wave energy will never be depleted.
Oceanic surface currents are an untapped source of energy. Because of their link to winds and surface heating processes, the ocean currents are considered as indirect sources of solar energy.
Tidal power is non-polluting, reliable and predictable. Undersea tidal turbines, like wind turbines but driven by the sea, and a variety of machines harnessing undersea currents are under development.
OTEC NewsLockheed to build 10-megawatt thermal power plant off southern ChinaTuesday, 16 April 2013 * One of largest facilities to use OTEC technology
* Uses heat differences in tropical waters to drive turbines
* Plant seen as step toward making OTEC commercially viable
By David Alexander
WASHINGTON, April 16 (Reuters) - U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin announced plans on Tuesday to build a green energy power plant that will use variations in ocean water temperature to generate electricity, taking a big step toward making the 130-year-old concept commercially viable.
Lockheed signed an agreement on Saturday in Beijing with the privately held Reignwood... Read More...
Offshore Wind NewsU.K. Government to Fund Offshore Wind Innovation CenterWednesday, 01 June 2011
Wind
energy will benefit from two completely separate initiatives that the
U.K. government has agreed to help fund: an innovation center for
offshore energy and a "green" bank. The government has announced a
decision to invest in an offshore renewable energy technology and innovation center to help British businesses commercialize wind, wave and tidal power.
“The
UK has world-leading expertise in offshore engineering and
understanding of our seabed and marine environment,” the government’s Technology Strategy Board
said. “This has... Read More...
Tidal Energy NewsTritech Launches Renewables Mammal Detection SystemTuesday, 24 May 2011Tritech
launched its Gemini SeaTec Mammal Detection System at the All-Energy
show in Aberdeen, UK. Gemini SeaTec is a mammal detection system which
provides a valuable tool in the detection of marine life around subsea
turbines. Tritech’s subsea sonars have been deployed on marine current
structures since 2008 when the company made its first step into the
offshore renewables sector.
The
Gemini SeaTec system uses Tritech’s industry standard Gemini 720id
multibeam sonar and its image detection software. This innovative
software subsequently provides... Read More...
Wave Energy NewsAquamarine Power secures seabed rights for potential 40MW Lewis wave energy sitesThursday, 19 May 2011
The
Western Isles could capitalize on Scotland’s green energy boom
following the news that wave energy company Aquamarine Power has secured
seabed leases to capture up to 40MW of wave energy off the west coast
of Lewis.
Following
a series of meetings and consultation with the local community,
stakeholders and officials, the Edinburgh firm has obtained leases from
seabed owner the Crown Estate. This will enable them to start
environmental and feasibility studies and continue working with the
local community and other key groups on the potential to install the... Read More...
Worldwide Ocean Energy NewsUK Government Backs Marine Current Turbines ApplicationTuesday, 10 May 2011An
application from Marine Current Turbines, the UK tidal energy
developer, to secure money from the European Union's New Entrant Reserve
(NER) scheme has been approved by the UK's Department of Energy &
Climate Change. Marine Current Turbines' application for its proposed
tidal farm in Scotland's Kyle Rhea will now go forward for consideration
by the European Investment Bank.
The
EU's NER scheme is a fund worth around EUR4.5 billion to support carbon
capture and storage and innovative renewable projects, such as the Kyle
Rhea tidal scheme, across the European Union.... Read More...
