The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in India announced that Ocean Energy will be categorized as renewable energy. This includes various forms of ocean energy such as tidal, wave, and ocean thermal energy conversion. With this proclamation, Ocean Energy is now eligible for meeting the non-solar Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO). By making this announcement, MNRE has made it clear to stakeholders that the use of ocean energy is an essential component of the nation’s commitment towards sustainable development.
Understanding Renewable Purchase Obligation
Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) is a regulatory mechanism whereby State Electricity Regulatory Commissions are mandated to purchase a specific percentage of power from renewable energy sources. The goal of implementing RPO across India is to stimulate demand for renewable energy and encourage its widespread usage.
Estimated Potential of Ocean Energy in India
As per MNRE’s calculations, the total potential of tidal energy in India stands at about 12,455 MW. The most promising locations for utilizing tidal energy are the Khambhat & Kutch regions in Gujrat and vast backwaters where barrage technology could be employed. As for wave energy, the theoretical potential along India’s coast is estimated to be approximately 40,000 MW. The Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) holds a theoretical potential of 180,000 MW in India, assuming the right technological advancements are made. This sector has immense growth potential, contributing to economic development, carbon footprint reduction, and job creation along the coasts and inland supply chains.
Understanding Different Types of Ocean Energy
The vast oceans, covering 70% of the earth’s surface, store enormous quantities of energy in the form of wave, tidal, marine current, and thermal gradient. As a country with a long coastline, dotted with estuaries and gulfs, India is poised to harness this ocean energy in the form of Tidal, Wave, Current Energy and Ocean Thermal Energy.
Tidal Energy
Tidal energy is generated by the gravitational force of the moon, creating a tidal cycle that occurs every 12 hours. This difference in water height from low tide to high tide can be stored as potential energy. Similarly to traditional hydropower generated from dams, tidal water can be captured in a barrage across an estuary during high tide and forced through a hydro-turbine during low tide.
Wave Energy
Wave energy is produced by the motion of a device either floating on the ocean’s surface or anchored to the ocean floor. Surface floating devices have joints that bend with the waves, pumping fluid through turbines and creating electricity. Stationary wave energy conversion devices use pressure fluctuations produced in long tubes from the waves swelling up and down.
Current Energy
Marine current refers to ocean water moving in one direction, like the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift. Tides also create currents flowing in two directions. The kinetic energy from the Gulf Stream and other tidal currents can be harnessed using submerged turbines.
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion leverages ocean temperature differences from the surface to depths lower than 1,000 meters to extract energy. A temperature difference of just 20°C can yield usable energy.
Facts About Ocean Energy
| Type of Ocean Energy | Theoretical Potential |
|---|---|
| Tidal Energy | 12,455 MW |
| Wave Energy | 40,000 MW |
| Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion | 180,000 MW |
Sources of Information
Information for this article was gathered from THBL.
