According to information provided in the July "renovable.cu" newsletter published by the Center for Energy Information Management and Development (Cubaenergía), scientists on the Caribbean island are investigating the possibility of making use of temperature differences in the oceans around Cuba. Among the remarkable results mentioned, it appears that "suitable oceanographic conditions for conducting a feasibility study to establish an OTEC demonstration plant in the Bay of Matanzas have been verified".
After completing analyses of the marine topography of the area, the researchers also argue that "the results confirm that the oceanographic characteristics of the Bay of Matanzas are very favourable to locating an OTEC plant near the coast, with major sea depths within the bay ranging from 300 metres to 500 metres, and temperature variations of around 12°C between the surface and the seafloor".
The researchers are confident that “locating a demonstration plant at the aforementioned site will enable the technology for converting ocean thermal energy to be studied and developed".
The newsletter also highlights that a map showing marine energy resources off the coast of Cuba has been prepared, along with academics studies to design marine power turbomachinery.
OTEC projects on the drawing board elsewhere around the world include a small plant for the US Navy base on the British-occupied island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, which will be used to provide 1.25 MGD of potable water to the base. OCEES International, Inc. is working with the US Navy on a design for the proposed 13-MW OTEC plant, which would replace the current power plant running diesel generators.
A private US company has also proposed building a 10-MW OTEC plant on the US-owned island of Guam in the Pacific Ocean, while Lockheed Martin's Alternative Energy Development team is currently in the final design phase of a 10-MW closed cycle OTEC pilot system which will become operational in Hawaii in the 2012-2013 time frame. This system is being designed to expand to 100-MW commercial systems in the near future.
For additional information:
Cuban Center for Energy Information Management and Development
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