Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

The present study investigates Andaman and Nicobar Islands area to identify the best location for OTEC plant. And the investigation based on the analysis of temperature gradient and bathymetry, environmental and socio-economic characteristics. Some vital factors like sea surface temperature, deep sea water temperature, water column depth, distance from the shore, wave height, wind speed, and surface current also taken into account to investigate the area and identify the coordinates of the location in Andaman and Nicobar Islands region. After identification of the location coordinates the five locations have been selected among all locations and the TOPSIS method is applied to find out best location among all five selected location. The energy demand is continuously increasing due to the immense development in technologies so the conventional energy resources are unable to fulfill the energy demand. In this situation propagation of the renewable energy sources can play a momentous role to meet the demand. In the field of renewable energy, OTEC could be a magnificent option for electricity generation and potential of the OTEC is very high across the world. But the efficiency of the OTEC plant much more dependent on the location so the location of the plant must be suitable.

Keywords: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, MCDM, Thermal Gradients, TOPSIS, OTEC