Harnessing the Energy of the Oceans :: Technology Engineering Papers

Jamie Lee Wises essay examines the varying sources of electrical susceptibility that we can hurl from the oceans. In her well-organized and researched essay, Wise c atomic number 18fully explains the sources and then discusses both the benefits and drawbacks of each source. In the end, Wises paper argues that public awareness and education concerning the benefits of renewable energy sources need to be increased, and that the oceans can be a valuable resourece only if we take steps to preserve this natural wonder and use it responsibly.Harnessing the Energy of the Oceans unveilingThe oceans cover nearly three-quarters of our planet and contain a vast reserve of resources, yet we are only beginning to tap their full potential. The oceans can stick out a wide variety of foods, desalinated water, minerals, electricity, transportation, and recreation for the people of our world however, this discussion will be limited to sources of electrical energy that can be tackle from the seas. T he worlds energy consumption is currently doubling every 12 years and the consequences of our heavy dependence on fossil fuels are turn increasingly apparent. Several studies have estimated that our present reserves of oil and natural gas will be consumed at heart a few decades, and coal within a few centuries. In addition, political instability in the Middle East has demonstrated the economic consequences of oil dependence (Bregman, Knapp, and Takahashi 1996). Environmental and political concerns are just two reasons why alternative energy sources, such as ocean energy conversion, need to be considered. Overview of Ocean Energy Conversion TechnologiesTechnologies that currently exist for generating electrical power from the oceans can be grouped into six broad categories thermal energy, tidal power, wave power, ocean currents, ocean winds, and chemical sources. match to Ron Bregman, an Ocean Resource Engineer, the most promising and well-developed of these technologies are ther mal energy, tidal power, and wave power (1996).Thermal EnergyThe oceans are the worlds largest solar collectors. Each day the oceans absorb an amount of solar radiation equivalent in heat content to about 250 billion barrels of oil, according to Michael hotshot in Sea Technology (1995). This solar energy that is absorbed by the oceans as heat can be converted to electricity by a process known as Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion or OTEC. This technology is based on the large temperature differential between the unassailable tropical surface waters and the near freezing waters of the deep ocean (Vega, 1995).