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Ocean thermal energy resources in Colombia

Author

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  • Devis-Morales, Andrea
  • Montoya-Sánchez, Raúl A.
  • Osorio, Andrés F.
  • Otero-Díaz, Luis J.

Abstract

Colombia's exclusive location surrounded by the warm tropical waters of the Caribbean Sea and the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean make it a suitable region for ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC). These are systems that can produce significant amounts of renewable electricity. From the assessment of the temperature gradient and the bathymetric, environmental and socio-economical characteristics, the maritime area around the island of San Andres (in the northwestern Caribbean Sea) was found to be ideal for an OTEC facility since sea surface temperature varies only slightly during annual and interannual timescales. The thermal difference encountered from the surface to a depth of 1000 m is always around 22°–24 °C and cold waters are available for intake at around 450–750 m, within a short horizontal distance from the coast (less than 2.5 km). At these depths, the 20 °C thermal gradient required for OTEC operations is achieved. Furthermore, winds, waves and surface currents around the island are of relatively weak intensity. Presently, energy sources based entirely on Diesel generators are inducing negative impacts on the sustainable development of the region and on the fragile marine ecosystem. An environmentally friendly 10 MW OTEC facility could be part of future energy and water management solutions for the island. It would cover nearly 50% of total electricity demands and provide important additional advantages such as chilled soil agriculture, aquaculture, freshwater, mariculture and seawater air conditioning.

Suggested Citation

  • Devis-Morales, Andrea & Montoya-Sánchez, Raúl A. & Osorio, Andrés F. & Otero-Díaz, Luis J., 2014. "Ocean thermal energy resources in Colombia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 759-769.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:66:y:2014:i:c:p:759-769
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2014.01.010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ruiz, B.J. & Rodriguez-Padilla, V., 2006. "Renewable energy sources in the Colombian energy policy, analysis and perspectives," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(18), pages 3684-3690, December.
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    6. Rahman, Abidur & Farrok, Omar & Haque, Md Mejbaul, 2022. "Environmental impact of renewable energy source based electrical power plants: Solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, geothermal, tidal, ocean, and osmotic," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
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    8. Arias-Gaviria, Jessica & Osorio, Andres F. & Arango-Aramburo, Santiago, 2020. "Estimating the practical potential for deep ocean water extraction in the Caribbean," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 307-319.
    9. Osorio, A.F. & Ortega, Santiago & Arango-Aramburo, Santiago, 2016. "Assessment of the marine power potential in Colombia," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 966-977.
    10. Robert J. Brecha & Katherine Schoenenberger & Masaō Ashtine & Randy Koon Koon, 2021. "Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion—Flexible Enabling Technology for Variable Renewable Energy Integration in the Caribbean," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-19, April.
    11. Milad Shadman & Mateo Roldan-Carvajal & Fabian G. Pierart & Pablo Alejandro Haim & Rodrigo Alonso & Corbiniano Silva & Andrés F. Osorio & Nathalie Almonacid & Griselda Carreras & Mojtaba Maali Amiri &, 2023. "A Review of Offshore Renewable Energy in South America: Current Status and Future Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-34, January.
    12. Milad Shadman & Corbiniano Silva & Daiane Faller & Zhijia Wu & Luiz Paulo de Freitas Assad & Luiz Landau & Carlos Levi & Segen F. Estefen, 2019. "Ocean Renewable Energy Potential, Technology, and Deployments: A Case Study of Brazil," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-37, September.
    13. Hall, Kashawn & Kelly, Solange & Henry, Legena, 2022. "Site selection of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plants for Barbados," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(P2), pages 60-69.

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