A novel modelling approach to the identification of optimum sites for the placement of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) power plant: application to the tropical island climate of Mauritius

Jay Rovisham Singh Doorga,Oomarsing Gooroochurn,Vimal Ramchandur,Beenesh Anand Motah,Shane Sunassee

doi:10.1007/s40095-018-0278-4

Jay Rovisham Singh Doorga, Oomarsing Gooroochurn + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40095-018-0278-4

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Abstract

The geographical location of Mauritius near the warm tropical waters of the Indian Ocean coupled to the vast exclusive economic zone approximating 2.3 million square kilometers, encourage the promotion of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) systems. Technological advancements have enabled offshore structures to pump the cold water lying at 1000 m depth in the seawater column to the surface, and through the temperature difference set up with the warm surface layer, drives a turbine and generates electricity. In this study, a model has been developed to compute the temperature difference between the deep (1000 m) and surface (20 m) seawater layers around Mauritius. An algorithm has been implemented to determine the net power generated from a proposed OTEC power plant, acquired through the processing of sea surface temperature satellite images, at a resolution of 1 km. The spatial and temporal variations of the net power generated has been observed by splitting the annual data into four monsoonal time frames. Results show that the south-western region of Mauritius possesses high OTEC resources, with annual mean daily net power generation capacity of about 95 MW, representing about 20% of the peak power demand of the island. Moreover, the bathymetry of the southern region is propitious due to deep cold water availability at a proximity of less than 5km from the coastline. The energy and exergy efficiencies of the OTEC system are found to be 1.9 and 22.8%, respectively. A cost–benefit analysis indicates that profits of the order of 4.5 times the initial investment can be generated.

Highlights

The Small Island Developing State (SIDS) of Mauritius, situated near the subtropical latitude of the south-west Indian Ocean, benefits from a wealth of renewable energy resources
The purpose of this paper is to provide an assessment of the resource potential for ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) resource exploitation off the coasts of Mauritius
The first step in the thermocline model development is the selection of an appropriate seawater site near the coasts of Mauritius that is deep enough to observe the variations of temperature profile with depth

Summary

Introduction

The Small Island Developing State (SIDS) of Mauritius, situated near the subtropical latitude of the south-west Indian Ocean, benefits from a wealth of renewable energy resources. The island relies on additional renewable energy resources, including hydroelectricity (3.3%), bagasse (16.3%) and landfill gas (0.6%) to satisfy the electricity requirement of its expanding population dynamics. The necessity of developing the renewable energy sector in SIDS stems from the impediment brought by the reliance on imported fossil fuels to satisfy the energy needs of the population. The fluctuations of fossil fuel prices on the international market bears economic repercussions on the financial structure felt by the small island economies. The strategy involving the phasing out of fossil fuel imports, through the gradual penetration of renewable energy technologies, bears multiple benefits including energy security and environmental deliverance from the emission of harmful carbon dioxide gases in the atmosphere

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