Brazilian Ocean Thermal Energy Park and Its Sites: Definitions and Feasibility of Thermal Energy Conversion in the Blue Amazon

Abstract The search for energy alternatives is becoming more important in the strategic development of countries, as global energy demand accelerates. The thermal energy in the oceans, the highest exploitation potential, is renewable and has the ability to remove heat from the oceans and carbonic gas from the atmosphere. In this study, we used the temperature results from the numerical model HYCOM for resoucers evaluation of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC). Based on these data, daily, monthly, seasonal and annual averages were calculated, allowing to evaluate the thermal gradient variability in the Blue Amazon, region where Brazil has sovereign rights for exploration, conservation and management of living and nonliving natural resources. Three thermal energy sites were obtained the definition of their viability and operational of his conversion by teorical OTEC plant throughout the period of the average. The brazilian northern region stands out with the higher energy potential between the surface and a depth range of 600m ≤ z ≥ 1000m, from the results we indicate that the Brazilian Ocean Thermal Energy Park (OTEP) is technically feasible for the operations of OTEC. However, form the economic perspective, results show that only portions closest to the continental shelf, have the capacity to operate.