Disadvantages of Ocean Thermal Energy

1. High Initial Cost

We can learn that the cost to purchase and install the necessary equipment for harnessing
OTEC is high. Since we are at a time when the standards of living are high in many of our
countries, establishing an ocean thermal energy plants may be limited to some of our
nations.

Also, it may require a large number of professionals to set up the plant. They also need to
cater to these services, which are relatively expensive, in the budget planning.

2. Locality of Production

Just like other ocean energy generation methods, we learn that there are various suitable
places for this energy harnessing. This is a limiting factor to some countries with a coastal
line or even landlocked nations.

In ocean thermal energy, the concept takes advantage of the temperature gradient and
choosing the most suitable area in the ocean is paramount for best results. But, from
research, the hot and cold waters provide a temperature gradient that occurs mainly in
tropical regions. Thus many of our nations that are not within this locality may not benefit
from this form of energy.

3. Small Temperature Difference

The difference in temperatures between the surface waters and the deep waters may be
small. Hence, this may produce electric energy with low efficiency.

Also, can be very costly to small electricity enterprises that rely on this form of energy
production. At the same time, some of our electricity providers using this form of energy
generation may have to get a “plan B.” This will be a backup power generation method so
that they continue to supply electricity in times of these low efficiency.

4. Harmful Effects on Marine Life

The ocean thermal energy plant has pipes running down all the way to the deepest parts of
the ocean. Thus we can see that these pipes may interfere with the marine life. Also, small
water animals may get drawn by force to the pipes through the pumping action of the water.

Thus, we learn that despite the plant being environmental-friendly to human population and
land, it may not extend the same to the water ecosystem.

5. Interfere with navigation

The ocean thermal plant may appear as though it is floating on the water, yet it has an
elongated and massive construction under water. Large ships may experience difficulties in
navigation with the floating body round.

In most cases, we learn that some locations, where there may be ocean thermal energy
plants, can also be a passageway to these ships. Hence blocking their route or forcing the
ships to look for other routes.

6. Large size turbines with expensive liquid

The ocean thermal energy plant may require large sizes of turbines. We should learn that
these plants use large turbines because of the low pressure in the boiling propene. The
limitation comes in when the prices of turbines may be high and unaffordable.

Also, the cost of the propene is another thing that we should consider. This is the liquid
used in the energy plant and may be expensive to acquire for some of our electricity
generating companies.

Conclusion
Overall, ocean thermal energy is one of the infant energy generation techniques that are
coming up today. In our future world, most of our nations may establish a permanent ban
on fossil fuels. This ban may rise due to a possible depletion of the fuels or the harmful
effects that these fossil fuels have on our atmosphere.