Harnessing the Energy of the Oceans :: Technology Engineering Papers

Jamie Lee Wises essay examines the varying sources of galvanizing energy that we batch draw from the oceans. In her well-organized and researched essay, Wise c atomic number 18fully explains the sources and indeed discusses both the benefits and drawbacks of each source. In the end, Wises paper argues that earthly concern aw beness 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 make unnecessary this natural wonder and use it responsibly.Harnessing the null of the OceansIntroductionThe oceans cover nigh 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 provide a wide variety of foods, desalinated water, minerals, electricity, transportation, and recreation for the people of our world however, this discussion depart be limited to sources of electrical energy that can be harness from the seas. The worlds energy consumption is currently doubling all 12 years and the consequences of our heavy addiction on fossil fuels are becoming increasingly apparent. Several studies have estimated that our present reserves of fossil oil and natural gas will be consumed within a hardly a(prenominal) decades, and coal within a few centuries. In addition, political unbalance 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 utility(a) energy sources, such as ocean energy conversion, need to be considered. Overview of Ocean Energy Conversion TechnologiesTechnologies that currently exist for generating electrical government agency from the oceans can be grouped into six broad categories thermal energy, tidal spot, wave power, ocean currents, ocean winds, and chemical sources. According to Ron Bregman, an Ocean imagery Engineer, the most prom ising and well-developed of these technologies are thermal energy, tidal power, and wave power (1996).Thermal EnergyThe oceans are the worlds largest solar collectors. separately day the oceans absorb an amount of solar radiation equivalent in heat content to about 250 billion barrels of oil, according to Michael hero 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 derivative instrument between the warm tropical surface waters and the near frost waters of the deep ocean (Vega, 1995).