Thermal Efficiency Dataset for OTEC Applications in Cuban Waters.

Area of Science:

• Oceanography
• Renewable Energy Systems
• Climate Change Mitigation

Background:

• Cuba's current electrical energy generation relies heavily on fossil fuels, contributing to significant environmental pollution.
• There is a critical need for sustainable energy alternatives to preserve natural ecosystems and support development.
• Cuba's geographical location and extensive coastlines present unique opportunities for ocean-based renewable energy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of harnessing ocean thermal energy in Cuba.
• To calculate the Carnot thermal efficiency for ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC).
• To provide a dataset for evaluating OTEC potential in the region.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 27 years of daily ocean temperature data from the Copernicus Marine Environmental Monitoring Service (CMEMS).
• Calculated daily Carnot thermal efficiency using a Python script at depths of 763, 902, and 1062 meters.
• Processed data to generate 81 files detailing thermal efficiency, date, depth, and coordinates.

Main Results:

• Generated a comprehensive dataset of Carnot thermal efficiency for OTEC exploitation.
• The dataset spans 27 years of daily calculations, offering long-term performance insights.
• Efficiency calculations were performed at depths relevant to traditional OTEC studies.

Conclusions:

• The study provides crucial data for evaluating Cuba's potential for ocean thermal energy.
• This renewable energy source can support electricity generation and derived technologies like desalination and refrigeration.
• The findings support the transition to sustainable energy solutions in Cuba, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.