Criteria for Optimal Site Selection for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Plants in Mexico
Erika Paola Garduño-Ruiz,
Rodolfo Silva,
Yandy Rodríguez-Cueto,
Alejandro García-Huante,
Jorge Olmedo-González,
M. Luisa Martínez,
Astrid Wojtarowski,
Raúl Martell-Dubois,
Sergio Cerdeira-Estrada
Affiliations
Erika Paola Garduño-Ruiz
Instituto de Ingeniería, Ciudad Universitaria, Circuito Exterior s/n, Coyoacán, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico
Rodolfo Silva
Instituto de Ingeniería, Ciudad Universitaria, Circuito Exterior s/n, Coyoacán, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico
Yandy Rodríguez-Cueto
Instituto de Ingeniería, Ciudad Universitaria, Circuito Exterior s/n, Coyoacán, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico
Alejandro García-Huante
Instituto de Ingeniería, Ciudad Universitaria, Circuito Exterior s/n, Coyoacán, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico
Jorge Olmedo-González
ESIQIE, Laboratorio Electroquímica, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Avenida Instituto Politécnico Nacional s/n, Nueva Industrial Vallejo, 07738 Mexico City, Mexico
M. Luisa Martínez
Functional Ecology Network, Instituto de Ecología, A.C. Xalapa, 91073 Veracruz, Mexico
Astrid Wojtarowski
El Colegio de Veracruz, Xalapa, 91000 Veracruz, Mexico
Raúl Martell-Dubois
Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad (CONABIO), Tlalpan, 14010 Mexico City, Mexico
Sergio Cerdeira-Estrada
Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad (CONABIO), Tlalpan, 14010 Mexico City, Mexico
Sustainable energy is needed globally, and Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a possible way to diversify the energy matrix. This article suggests a preliminary selection process to find optimal sites for OTEC deployment on the Mexican coastline. The method comprises the (1) evaluation of the thermal power potential, using daily data (16 years) of sea surface temperature, and the percentage of available time of the power thresholds; (2) assessment of feasibility using a decision matrix, fed by technical, environmental and socioeconomic criteria; (3) identification of four potential sites; and (4) comparison of OTEC competitiveness with other technologies through the levelized cost of energy. Multi-criteria decision analysis was applied to select optimal sites, using the technique for ordering performance by the similarity to the ideal solution. The best sites were (1) Puerto Angel and (2) Cabo San Lucas; with power production of > 50 MW and a persistence of > 40%. As yet there is no evidence from operational OTEC plants that could alter the environmental and socioeconomic criteria weightings. More in situ studies on pilot plants should help to determine their possible environmental impact and socio-economic consequences before any larger-scale projects are implemented.
