Carbon Dioxide Release from OTEC Cycles

This paper presents the results of recent measurements of CO2 release from an open-cycle ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) experiment. Based on these data, the rate of short-term CO2 release from future open-cycle OTEC plants is projected to be 15 to 25 times smaller than that from fossil-fueled electric power plants. OTEC systems that incorporate subsurface mixed discharge are expected toresult in no long-term release. OTEC plants can significantly reduce CO2 emissions when substituted for fossil-fueled power generation.