Ocean thermal energy resources in the South China Sea

Ocean thermal energy is an important marine renewable energy. The development and utilization of ocean thermal energy resources can effectively alleviate the energy problems and environmental pollution problems caused by conventional energy shortage. Based on GODAS data set and new wave energy assessment formula, this paper estimates the OTEC resources in the South China Sea with Nihous’ method. The temperature difference in the South China Sea is large with most areas over 18℃ even in winter except the shallow coastal, so the South China Sea can be considered as a suitable place for the development of OTEC plants. The horizontal distribution of temperature difference is low in the north while high in the south. Annual OTEC net power density in the South China Sea ranges from 300 to 1200 kW.km-2. In the area with the depth less than 1000m, net power density increases unevenly with increasing water depth, ranging from 300 to 900 kW.km-2. The variation gradient between the areas with 1000m and 4000m depth is small. Compared with other regions in the world, the South China Sea is relatively rich in the thermal energy. Suitable water depth for OTEC development in the South China Sea is relatively homogeneous, mainly concentrated between 720m and 770m, and the average value is about 750m