Further detail about this can be seen here. Also question is, what is OTEC system?
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a process that can produce electricity by using the temperature difference between deep cold ocean water and warm tropical surface waters. OTEC plants pump large quantities of deep cold seawater and surface seawater to run a power cycle and produce electricity.
Beside above, where is OTEC being used? Hawaii is the best US OTEC location, due to its warm surface water, access to very deep, very cold water, and high electricity costs. The laboratory has become a leading test facility for OTEC technology. In the same year, Lockheed received a grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation to study OTEC.
Correspondingly, what is the basic principle of ocean thermal energy conversion?
The basic working principle of OTEC is quite simple. The warm water is used to evaporate a working fluid with a low boiling point. The high pressure vapour that is produced drives a turbine-generator to produce electricity. The cold deep seawater is used to condense the working fluid vapour back into a liquid.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of ocean thermal energy?
DISADVANTAGES:-Capital investment is very high. Due to small temperature difference in between the surface water and deep water, conversion efficiency is very low about 3-4%. Low efficiency of these plants coupled with high capital cost and maintenance cost makes them uneconomical for small plants.
