A Review on Environmental and Social Impacts of Thermal Gradient and Tidal Currents Energy Conversion and Application to the Case of Chiapas, Mexico

Graciela Rivera, Angélica Felix and Edgar Mendoza
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Graciela Rivera: Engineering Institute, National Autonomous University of Mexico, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico
Angélica Felix: Engineering Institute, National Autonomous University of Mexico, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico
Edgar Mendoza: Engineering Institute, National Autonomous University of Mexico, 04510 Mexico City, Mexico

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 21, 1-18

Abstract: Despite the proved potential to harness ocean energy off the Mexican coast, one of the main aspects that have restrained the development of this industry is the lack of information regarding the environmental and social impacts of the devices and plants. Under this premise, a review of literature that could help identifying the potential repercussions of energy plants on those fields was performed. The available studies carried out around the world show a clear tendency to use indicators to assess impacts specifically related to the source of energy to be converted. The information gathered was used to address the foreseeable impacts on a hypothetical case regarding the deployment of an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plant off the Chiapas coast in Mexico. From the review it was found that for OTEC plants, the most important aspect to be considered is the discharge plume volume and its physicochemical composition, which can lead to the proliferation of harmful algal blooms. Regarding the case study, it is interesting to note that although the environmental impacts need to be mitigated and monitored, they can be somehow alleviated considering the potential social benefits of the energy industry.

Keywords: ocean renewable energy; OTEC; tidal current energy; environmental and social impacts (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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