Lubbock Left

This idea is just too cool for words: build up to 50,000 concrete “islands” which generate clean, renewable energy from wind, solar, and the difference in seawater temperature between the surface and the depths. Here’s the basic premise:

Warmer surface water is used to heat liquid ammonia, converting it into vapor, which expands to drive a turbine — which in turn produces electricity. The ammonia is then cooled using cold water from the ocean depths, returning it into a liquid state so the process can start all over again.

Each energy island could generate 250MW. Wow! I want to learn more about the potential for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC).

Apparently, this technique is being reconsidered as part of the Virgin Earth Challenge. Thank goodness such philanthropic organizations exist, so at least someone is encouraging this type of research in the absence of U.S. Government leadership.