Tap the coast to generate power: expert

Chennai:

India could generate 3750 MW to 7500MW if the 10 per cent of the coast is utilized to generate power, according to an expert.

Speaking at a seminar on non-conventional energy at Regional Meteorological Centre here on Wednesday Prof S A Sannasiraj of Indian Institute of Technology’s department of Ocean Engineering stressed on the need for ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) stating that the resource potential through this technology is 180,000 MW.

He said conceptual studies on OTEC plants, which uses the water temperature difference at the surface (at about 29 degree Celsius) and a depth of 1,100 metres (at about 7 degree Celsius) to produce electricity, are being underway and the same concept has already been extended to successful installation of desalination plants in Lakshadweep islands.

He said that Indian scientists have successfully demonstrated that OTEC is valuable not only in power generation but also in achieving additional objectives such as desalination.

He said the typical magnitude of ocean current along the Indian sub-continent is much smaller and there is no feasibility for the energy from ocean currents. “However, ample opportunities exist to install tidal current mill and a lot of scope exists for the participation of non-governmental organizations,” said Prof Sannasiraj.

Prof A Mani of IIT’s department of mechanical engineering discussed various thermal applications of solar energy like water heating, power generation, desalination, dying, cooking and solar refrigeration.