The role of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) system in CO2 problem

概要

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Global warming, caused mainly by the increase of atmospheric CO2 concentration, is one of the most important global environmental issues. It is essential to develop highly efficient energy utilization processes and substitute energy sources, as countermeasures against this problem. In the present paper, we estimated the energy balance of an ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) system that is one of the substitute energy sources. It was found that a 100 MW OTEC system reduces the amount of CO2 emission by 140, 000 t-C/year, as compared with a 100 Mcoal fired power plant. Its energy pay back time was calculated to be 0.46 year. In addition, the secondary CO2 uptake effect by the compulsory circulation of the ocean was calculated to be 7, 800 t-C/year for a 100 MW OTEC system on the basis of the difference between the present and pre-industrial CO2 concentrations.
日本マクロエンジニアリング学会の論文