Thursday, February 9, 2012

What are the environmental effects and problems of ocean thermal energy conversion(OTEC)power plants?

This method of electricity generation slightly contributes to global warming, since it draws up cold ocean water which contains higher amounts of dissolved CO2 than the warmer surface waters. This CO2 is released into the atmosphere as it is warmed, though it is much less than the CO2 released from a fossil fuel power plant.



In addition, there is a natural balance of the ocean ecosystem that depends on cold water being below warm water, and this cycle slightly disrupts that natural trend.



Finally, and what is by far the most obvious environmental consequence is that fish and other marine life may be caught in the system and perish.



But despite these shortcomings, it truly is a marvelous piece of technology and its benefits (unlimited and clean) far outweigh these minor environmental costs.What are the environmental effects and problems of ocean thermal energy conversion(OTEC)power plants?In and of itself it is not problematic, but when the Earth is made into a model of all the Sustainability Systems, Weather Patterns and Ozone overload, it does contribute slightly to the warming of aquatic waters where critters live.



One item of note is that Arkansas Nuclear One, Russellville, AR is on a man-made lake. This brings up a couple of ethical arguments of the Creator's rights to care for life under their mastery.



If they took 1600 acres of farmland - that was habitat and sustainability for people, critters, plants, pollen, etc. They converted it to lake, fish were added many different ways. It has become habitat for animals on islands, birds, fish, etc.



Does this allow them to destroy all of that which they have built, that which replaced one type of sustainability or another. Before espousing their cleanness and efficiency, remember there is a by-product that is a growing problem of disposal - spent fuel rods. Check out government documents for upsets and spills via FOIA.
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