The Computer Controlled Ocean Thermal Energy Unit, “ETMC”, unit is designed for simulating an energy generation system that extracts the thermal energy from the upper layers of the ocean, using them as the hot focus of a thermal cycle and the deep layers as the cold focus.

The basic principle of this system is the use of a heat engine that converts thermal energy into mechanical work through the temperature gradient between a “heat source” and a “heat sink”. The temperature difference is used to evaporate and condense a working fluid to drive a turbine – generator to produce electricity.

This unit mainly consists of:

• A closed circuit in which a pump impels a working fluid through a hot water circuit (evaporator), where it is evaporated to move the blades of a turbine and, thus, generate electricity. At the outlet of the turbine the pump impels the working fluid through a cold water circuit (condenser), so that it goes back to liquid state and starts the cycle again.
• Hot temperature water circuit consisting of a tank with a heating element and a pump.
• Cold temperature water circuit consisting of a chilling unit and a pump.

This Computer Controlled Unit is supplied with the EDIBON Computer Control System (SCADA), and includes: The unit itself + a Control Interface Box + a Data Acquisition Board + Computer Control, Data Acquisition and Data Management Software Packages, for controlling the process and all parameters involved in the process.