Harnessing Vertical Sea Temperature Gradient

Sterling D. Allan writes "Sea Solar Power Inc., run by three generations of James Hilbert Andersons, has developed a solar power technology that does not fluctuate with the weather, but is available constantly. Their solution is to harness the solar energy stored in the sea by tapping the thermal gradient that exists naturally between the surface and deep waters, using a reverse refrigeration cycle. The modeling and testing done by the Anderson family over three generations since 1962 predicts that the cost of energy generation through this method will be within a price range comparable to nuclear, coal, natural gas, and other contemporary grid power plants. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion, or OTEC, was invented in 1881 by a French scientist, Jacques Arsene D'Arsonval. SSP should be ready to build their first full prototype 2-3 years from now."

Comments

Re:Solar????

[Lifewish]

I knew I missed something...

Incidentally, does the thought of messing around with oceanic temperature gradients bother anyone slightly? It's probably not on a scale nearly wide enough to destabilise any currents, but it'd be good to have an oceanographer's opinion on this.

Re:Unfortunately, it's not a passive energy source

[paco3791]

The problem with any power generation scheme is that there are always side effects, you just have to pick your poison.

With photovoltaic systems you have the nasty chemicals currently associated with manufacture, with wind power you have what some people consider noise and landscape pollution, along with bird strike problems, although this problem is probably over hyped with newer windmill designs.

There is, as they say, no free lunch.

How can I take seriously ...

[Culture]

... any information from a web site that calls stochimetric mixtures of oxygen and hydrogen "Brown's Gas" and claims that it "takes on the properties of what it is exposed to -- not in a physical reproduction, but in essence." Or try this gem: "When the electricity (in the Brown's Gas) is released by the 'flame,' it comes out as electricity and the water 'implodes' to it's original liquid form, with no heat and no expansion first. That's also why the flame is 'cool' yet has high energy effects." Yeah ... right. Take a look at the "Gravity Motors" section. It is even funnier.

I guess I am being punished by my mechanical engineering background.

It is possible that there is some good information on this site (somewhere), but quite frankly I do not know what you would want to waste time separating the real information from the quackery.

Re:Unfortunately, it's not a passive energy source

[bunnyman]

Won't somebody please think of the Balrogs!