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Criteria for Optimal Site Selection for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Plants in Mexico

Author

Listed:
  • Erika Paola Garduño-Ruiz

    (Instituto de Ingeniería, Ciudad Universitaria, Circuito Exterior s/n, Coyoacán, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico)

  • Rodolfo Silva

    (Instituto de Ingeniería, Ciudad Universitaria, Circuito Exterior s/n, Coyoacán, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico)

  • Yandy Rodríguez-Cueto

    (Instituto de Ingeniería, Ciudad Universitaria, Circuito Exterior s/n, Coyoacán, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico)

  • Alejandro García-Huante

    (Instituto de Ingeniería, Ciudad Universitaria, Circuito Exterior s/n, Coyoacán, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico)

  • Jorge Olmedo-González

    (ESIQIE, Laboratorio Electroquímica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Avenida Instituto Politécnico Nacional s/n, Nueva Industrial Vallejo, 07738 Mexico City, Mexico)

  • M. Luisa Martínez

    (Functional Ecology Network, Instituto de Ecología, A.C. Xalapa, 91073 Veracruz, Mexico)

  • Astrid Wojtarowski

    (El Colegio de Veracruz, Xalapa, 91000 Veracruz, Mexico)

  • Raúl Martell-Dubois

    (Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad (CONABIO), Tlalpan, 14010 Mexico City, Mexico)

  • Sergio Cerdeira-Estrada

    (Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad (CONABIO), Tlalpan, 14010 Mexico City, Mexico)

Abstract

Sustainable energy is needed globally, and Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a possible way to diversify the energy matrix. This article suggests a preliminary selection process to find optimal sites for OTEC deployment on the Mexican coastline. The method comprises the (1) evaluation of the thermal power potential, using daily data (16 years) of sea surface temperature, and the percentage of available time of the power thresholds; (2) assessment of feasibility using a decision matrix, fed by technical, environmental and socioeconomic criteria; (3) identification of four potential sites; and (4) comparison of OTEC competitiveness with other technologies through the levelized cost of energy. Multi-criteria decision analysis was applied to select optimal sites, using the technique for ordering performance by the similarity to the ideal solution. The best sites were (1) Puerto Angel and (2) Cabo San Lucas; with power production of > 50 MW and a persistence of > 40%. As yet there is no evidence from operational OTEC plants that could alter the environmental and socioeconomic criteria weightings. More in situ studies on pilot plants should help to determine their possible environmental impact and socio-economic consequences before any larger-scale projects are implemented.

Suggested Citation

  • Erika Paola Garduño-Ruiz & Rodolfo Silva & Yandy Rodríguez-Cueto & Alejandro García-Huante & Jorge Olmedo-González & M. Luisa Martínez & Astrid Wojtarowski & Raúl Martell-Dubois & Sergio Cerdeira-Estr, 2021. "Criteria for Optimal Site Selection for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Plants in Mexico," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-23, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:8:p:2121-:d:533603
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Saaty, Thomas L., 1990. "How to make a decision: The analytic hierarchy process," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 9-26, September.
    2. Osorio, Andrés F. & Arias-Gaviria, Jessica & Devis-Morales, Andrea & Acevedo, Diego & Velasquez, Héctor Iván & Arango-Aramburo, Santiago, 2016. "Beyond electricity: The potential of ocean thermal energy and ocean technology ecoparks in small tropical islands," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 713-724.
    3. Bernardoni, C. & Binotti, M. & Giostri, A., 2019. "Techno-economic analysis of closed OTEC cycles for power generation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 1018-1033.
    4. Juan Francisco Barcenas Graniel & Enrique Celestino Carrera Chan & Maria Fernanda Sabido Tun & Estela Cerezo-Acevedo, 2020. "Environmental Impact Assessment of the Operation of an Open Cycle OTEC 1MWe Power Plant in the Cozumel Island, Mexico," Chapters, in: Albert S. Kim & Hyeon-Ju Kim (ed.), Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) - Past, Present, and Progress, IntechOpen.
    5. Mendoza, Edgar & Lithgow, Debora & Flores, Pamela & Felix, Angélica & Simas, Teresa & Silva, Rodolfo, 2019. "A framework to evaluate the environmental impact of OCEAN energy devices," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 440-449.
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    Cited by:

    1. Langer, Jannis & Infante Ferreira, Carlos & Quist, Jaco, 2022. "Is bigger always better? Designing economically feasible ocean thermal energy conversion systems using spatiotemporal resource data," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
    2. Albert S. Kim, 2022. "Special Issue “Selected Papers from the 8th International OTEC Symposium”," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-2, January.
    3. Enas Taha Sayed & Abdul Ghani Olabi & Abdul Hai Alami & Ali Radwan & Ayman Mdallal & Ahmed Rezk & Mohammad Ali Abdelkareem, 2023. "Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-26, February.
    4. 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.
    5. Guillermo Lopez & Maria de los Angeles Ortega Del Rosario & Arthur James & Humberto Alvarez, 2022. "Site Selection for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Plants (OTEC): A Case Study in Panama," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-24, April.
    6. Jessica Guadalupe Tobal-Cupul & Erika Paola Garduño-Ruiz & Emiliano Gorr-Pozzi & Jorge Olmedo-González & Emily Diane Martínez & Andrés Rosales & Dulce Daniela Navarro-Moreno & Jonathan Emmanuel Beníte, 2022. "An Assessment of the Financial Feasibility of an OTEC Ecopark: A Case Study at Cozumel Island," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-28, April.
    7. Eglė Tumelienė & Jūratė Sužiedelytė Visockienė & Vida Maliene, 2022. "Evaluating the Eligibility of Abandoned Agricultural Land for the Development of Wind Energy in Lithuania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-14, November.

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