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PRIMRE/Databases/Projects Database/Devices/Sea Solar Power Plant
From Open Energy Information
< PRIMRE | Databases | Projects Database | Devices
Sea Solar Power Plant
A stationary floating plant skims off a small percentage of the surface layer ocean water to use as the heat source. For the heat sink, the plant has a large diameter submerged pipe to pump up the heavier frigid water from the depths below the plant. A small amount of heat is extracted from the warm water and a lesser amount is put into the cold water. The net difference in energy flow is turned into electricity and fresh water and/or fuels and other useful products. Electricity is transmitted to shore through an underwater cable. A sea solar power electric plant can be described as having 10 major elements. They are (1) boiler; (2) condenser; (3)vapor turbin generator; (4) working fluid; (5) working fluid pump; (6) warm water pump; (7) cold water pump; (8) cold water pipe; (9) electric cable to shore; (10) integrated floating structure.
Additional Information
Device Status
Is the device actively being developed or is available for purchase (active)? Or has development or support ended (inactive)?
Active
Technology Type
Power Take-Off
Mechanism that converts the motion of the prime mover into a useful form of energy such as electricity, learn more
Air Turbine
Max Rated Power Capacity
The maximum amount of electricity that can be produced by the device, as rated by the manufacturer.
25,000 KW
Surface ExpressionTrue
Estimated TRL
Estimated Technology Readiness Level scale from 1 to 9 with 9 being the most mature technology
TRL Last updated: 19 July 2022
3
Energy Resource
- Thermal Gradient
Water Column Position
Surface
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Submerged - Mid
Entire Water Column
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Submerged - Bottom
Last Modified
6 May 2025
Citation Formats
“Sea Solar Power Plant.” Marine Energy Projects Database: Devices, PRIMRE, United States Department of Energy, https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Devices/Sea_Solar_Power_Plant. Accessed <day> <monthRoman> <year>.
Marine Energy Projects Database: Devices. <year>. "Sea Solar Power Plant." Accessed <monthRoman> <day>, <year>. https://openei.org/wiki/PRIMRE/Databases/Projects_Database/Devices/Sea_Solar_Power_Plant.
