10 Reasons why Kerry should starting talking about OTEC

[CabalPowered]

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion. Here’s a quick primer…

“OTEC, or ocean thermal energy conversion, is an energy technology that converts solar radiation to electric power. OTEC systems use the ocean's natural thermal gradient—the fact that the ocean's layers of water have different temperatures—to drive a power-producing cycle. As long as the temperature between the warm surface water and the cold deep water differs by about 20°C (36°F), an OTEC system can produce a significant amount of power. The oceans are thus a vast renewable resource, with the potential to help us produce billions of watts of electric power. This potential is estimated to be about 1013 watts of baseload power generation, according to some experts. The cold, deep seawater used in the OTEC process is also rich in nutrients, and it can be used to culture both marine organisms and plant life near the shore or on land.”

http://www.nrel.gov/otec/what.html

OTEC could satisfy our entire electrical demand
OTEC produces fresh water
OTEC avoids NIMBY problems
OTEC pilot plants working well
OTEC is feasible on large scales
OTEC can be built “fish safe”
OTEC is a process that Bush will never understand
OTEC hasn’t been preempted by Big Oil
OTEC isn’t on Rove’s radar
OTEC would swing Nader voters

Kerry needs to get his energy plans in the spotlight and I think OTEC would a great vehicle to do just that. Anybody else heard of OTEC?

[newyawker99]

1. Hi CabalPowered!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Demoin04]

2. I never heard of this, thanks

You're right there are a lot of energy sources that could be improved if the government would only start funding them a bit more.

Fusion is another idea,, although not quite as friendly as OTEC.
http://ippex.pppl.gov/

But you think that a pushed effort in both areas we'd have some serious achievements... sigh..
Wind generators,
Wave generators,
Hydro (although huge impacts on local environments)

I can' wait to see the three gorges dam completed.. a snip

"And the dam's hydropower turbines are expected to create as much electricity as 18 nuclear power plants. "
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/1999/china.50/asian.superpower/three.gorges/