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Growth of ocean thermal energy conversion resources under greenhouse warming regulated by oceanic eddies

Author

Listed:
  • Tianshi Du

    (Ocean University of China
    Laoshan Laboratory)

  • Zhao Jing

    (Ocean University of China
    Laoshan Laboratory)

  • Lixin Wu

    (Ocean University of China
    Laoshan Laboratory)

  • Hong Wang

    (Ocean University of China
    Laoshan Laboratory)

  • Zhaohui Chen

    (Ocean University of China
    Laoshan Laboratory)

  • Xiaohui Ma

    (Ocean University of China
    Laoshan Laboratory)

  • Bolan Gan

    (Ocean University of China
    Laoshan Laboratory)

  • Haiyuan Yang

    (Ocean University of China
    Laoshan Laboratory)

Abstract

The concept of utilizing a large temperature difference (>20 °C) between the surface and deep seawater to generate electricity, known as the ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), provides a renewable solution to fueling our future. However, it remains poorly assessed how the OTEC resources will respond to future climate change. Here, we find that the global OTEC power potential is projected to increase by 46% around the end of this century under a high carbon emission scenario, compared to its present-day level. The augmented OTEC power potential due to the rising sea surface temperature is partially offset by the deep ocean warming. The offsetting effect is more evident in the Atlantic Ocean than Pacific and Indian Oceans. This is mainly attributed to the weakening of mesoscale eddy-induced upward heat transport, suggesting an important role of mesoscale eddies in regulating the response of thermal stratification and OTEC power potential to greenhouse warming.

Suggested Citation

  • Tianshi Du & Zhao Jing & Lixin Wu & Hong Wang & Zhaohui Chen & Xiaohui Ma & Bolan Gan & Haiyuan Yang, 2022. "Growth of ocean thermal energy conversion resources under greenhouse warming regulated by oceanic eddies," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-34835-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34835-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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