Question

Write about ocean thermal energy.

Answer 1

Hint: It is one of the non-conventional sources of energy from sea energy. It is used to produce electricity by using different temperatures of water in the oceans.

Complete answer:

To solve this question, first, we have to know about the non-conventional sources of energy. Through technological advancement, our energy demand is rising day by day. Our lifestyles are also changing; we are using machines to do more, and more of our duties. Our basic requirements are also increasing as industrialization improves our living standards. As our demand for energy grows, we need to search for more and more energy sources. We should improve technologies to allow more effective use of existing or proven sources of energy and also look at new sources of energy. Every new energy source that we try to explore will require special devices built with that source in mind. There are various types of non-conventional energy sources. Some of these are solar energy, energy from the sea, nuclear energy, geothermal energy, etc. We can produce different energy from the sea like tidal energy, wave energy, ocean thermal energy, etc.

Now, let us discuss ocean thermal energy.

The surface water of the ocean or sea is warmed by the sun, while the water in the deeper areas is comparatively cold. This temperature differential is used to produce electricity in ocean thermal energy conversion plants. These plants can work if the difference in temperature between surface water and water at depths of up to 2 km is 293 K or more. Hot surface water is used to boil a toxic liquid such as ammonia. The liquid vapors are then used to power the generator turbine. Cold water from the bottom of the ocean is pumped up and the vapor is again concentrated into the liquid. The energy capacity of the sea is very large, but effective industrial production is difficult to achieve.

Thus, Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion is a method that can generate energy by using the temperature difference between deep cold ocean water and warm tropical surface waters.

Note: Ocean thermal energy is one of the continuously available renewable energy options that could contribute to the important energy supply. Resource capacity for ocean thermal energy is known to be much higher than for other forms of ocean energy.