Modeling of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Plant in Reunion Island

Abstract

Renewable Energy has a crucial interest for a remote area like Reunion Island. The supply of electricity based on renewable energy has many advantages but the major drawback is the production of electricity which varies highly according to the availability of the resource (wind, solar, wave, etc...). This causes a real problem for non interconnected electrical grid where intermittent renewable energies should be limited to a maximum of 30%. The ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) provides an alternative of electricity production from the available energy of the oceans present all the time. By using surface hot water and deep cold water from the ocean, it is possible to operate a thermodynamics cycle, which will then generate electricity. In this article, in the first part a literary and technological review is carried out in two areas: electricity production and cooling of buildings with deep water. This study establishes a knowledge base on thermodynamic cycles consistent with the OTEC and on dimensional and functional parameters associated with this technology. Steady state simulations are presented to understand the operation of the system. Steady state models will evaluate the potential of the OTEC in distributing base electricity. These simulations will help evaluating the potential for new thermodynamic cycles such as the Kalina cycle. With these tools, a sensitivity study will evaluate the influence of different parameters on the cycle.