TPE uses the temperature difference that exists between deep (40 F) and shallow waters (80 F) to drive the ORC to produce power and fresh water. Earlier OTEC systems had an overall efficiency of only 1 to 3%. TPE maximum efficiency lies between 6 and 9%. Our designs is configured to operate continuously as a base load power generation system. Any thorough Cost-benefit analysis will show excellent returns on investment.
Most solar thermal systems use hot oil to boil water creating steam to drive a steam turbine to generate power. In contrast, we do not build solar plants, we make them more efficient. Our technology allow us to recover the heat directly from the solar collectors coolant and drive our turbine with our proprietary refrigerant mixture generating power at the highest efficiency.
The following diagrams layout three typical systems:
