The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), an autonomous institute under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, is establishing an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Plant with a capacity of 65 kilowatts in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep. The plant will power a desalination plant that can convert up to one lakh liters of seawater into potable water per day. This unique project aims to generate drinking water from sea water using indigenous technology, green energy, and environmentally friendly processes.
Understanding Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a method of producing energy by harnessing the temperature differences between ocean surface waters and deep ocean waters. This is significant as oceans, covering almost 70% of Earth’s surface, are vast heat reservoirs. There are two types of OTEC technologies- the closed cycle method and the open cycle method.
India’s Historical Perspective and Potential in OTEC
India had initially planned to set up an OTEC plant off the Tamil Nadu coast in 1980. However, this project was abandoned when the foreign vendor shut down operations. Geographically, India is well-placed to generate ocean thermal energy, with around 2000 kms of coast length along the South Indian coast, where a temperature difference of over 20°C is available throughout the year. The estimated potential around India is approximately 180,000 MW, factoring in 40% of gross power for parasitic losses.
How an OTEC Plant Works
The sun’s energy heats the surface water of the ocean, creating a temperature difference between the warmer surface water and the colder deep water. This temperature difference is utilized in an OTEC system to power a turbine and produce electricity. Additionally, OTEC systems can desalinate ocean water, providing additional benefits.
Significance of OTEC
OTEC offers two significant advantages. Firstly, it produces clean, environmentally friendly renewable energy. Secondly, unlike solar plants or wind turbines, which are dependent on specific conditions, OTEC can produce energy consistently.
Related Recent Initiatives by the Government
The MoES is also focusing on projects such as Deep Sea Mining, Weather Forecasting, a Deep Ocean Mission, and a DNA Bank. Under the Deep Ocean Mission, the focus is on designing and developing a prototype crewed submersible capable of withstanding a water depth of 6,000 meters. The DNA Bank initiative aims to improve the detection, sampling, and DNA storage of benthic fauna in the northern Indian Ocean.
About the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT)
NIOT was established in November 1993 as an autonomous society under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Its primary aim is to develop reliable indigenous technologies to address various engineering problems associated with the harvesting of non-living and living resources in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone.
Reference to UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question
In relation to this topic, the 2008 UPSC Civil Services Examination asked a question about the location of the first desalination plant in India capable of producing one lakh liters of freshwater per day based on the low-temperature thermal desalination principle. The correct answer was Kavaratti, where the world’s first Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plant was developed by NIOT.
