Ocean Energy: Can It Compete?

by A. Douglas Carmichael, Jr., Prof. of Ocean Engrg.; Massachusetts Institute of Tech., Cambridge, MA 02139,
J. Sherman Feher, Strategic Planning; Electric Power Research Institute,


Serial Information: Civil Engineering—ASCE, 1987, Vol. 57, Issue 11, Pg. 70-73


Document Type: Feature article

Abstract:

Electric power plants using ocean energy are technically viable, but they tend to be cost-prohibitive. A study commissioned by the Electric Power Research Institute and carried out by investigators from MIT has revealed that six ocean energy sources to generate electric power�the tides, ocean water temperature differences, waves, currents, salinity gradients, and ocean winds�are not cost-competitive with conventional utility power plants. Nevertheless, at remore sites where conventionally-generated power is relatively expensive, an ocean energy source could provide to be an economic option in the near future.

Subject Headings: Electric power | Power plants | Renewable energy | Hydro power | Water waves | Salt water | Ocean engineering

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