OTEC Alternative for the Electric Power Generation in Panama

Abstract

This document presents a qualitative analysis of surface temperatures of the oceanic territory of Panama. These temperatures represent an indication of the potential of the thermal resource in the oceanic territory of Panama and could generate benefits for the success and stability of the national economy facing the current and growing challenges of the society. The OTEC technology is promising for countries located in tropical regions, where sea temperature differentials are ideal for efficient operability. Currently, this technology has low efficiency levels. Therefore, to evaluate its possible implementation in Panama, a theoretical thermodynamic analysis has been carried out. An organic Rankine cycle (ORC) simulation for the net production of 100KW was performed. It considered the temperature differentials of the oceanography of Panama and used refrigerants R717 and R134a as working fluids. Considering the database of Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center (PODAAC) for the year 2018, the ocean territory of Panama in the Gulf of Chiriquí reflects seawater surface temperatures (SST) of approximately 27.5 °C to almost 29.5 °C. Besides these values they do not reflect representative anomalies in the critical points with respect to the seasons of the year. The importance of the study in this area is its proximity to the deep cold sea waters, considering the Panama bathymetry map, since its SST are not very variable through the year or through the territory?