RIASSUNTO
ABSTRACT
The oceans occupy almost three-quarters of the earth''s surface and represent an enormous source of non-polluting, inexhaustible energy. Renewable energy resources can offset reliance on combustion of fossil fuels, help resolve the related environmental problems of global warming and air pollution, and with some systems, offer co-products that could improve the economic feasibility of these energy technologies. While many of the major developed nations have conducted exploratory research and development, and even installed a few commercial facilities, the total operational ocean power available is only a few hundred megawatts. However, projected available ocean power far exceeds the energy consumption of mankind, making this option extremely attractive, especially when the full economic and environmental implications are considered. The focus in this paper will be on ocean thermal energy conversion which promises multiple products. The beauty of many of these ocean resource options is the cornucopia-like integrated package potential. Blue Revolution 2000 is proposed as a project of immense promise.
INTRODUCTION
Since the dawn of the industrial age, the demand for energy has been increasing rapidly, and now is accelerating to keep up with exponential population and economic growth. The combustion of fossil fuels has been meeting the major portion of the needs, followed by nuclear power. However, there is a growing concern about the relationship between fossil fuel combustion and global warming and air pollution; extraction of oil and gas; oil spills; and dwindling supplies of oil and gas which may be exhausted by the middle of the next century. Totally safe nuclear power would be an alternative, but society has not been receptive because of potential catastrophic failures and problems of radioactive waste disposal. Therefore, alternative energy sources that are nonpolluting, economically competitive, and relatively inexhaustible are needed to meet the burgeoning needs of society.