Glaciothermal power generation in cold climate regions

The paper presents designs for a practical thermomechanical engine that can generate electrical power from seawater using the extreme chill of frigid polar air as a heat sink. Latent heat from freezing seawater boils a high pressure natural refrigerant and drives a vapor expander to generate power. The temperature difference between seawater and cold wind is small, but a large amount of heat is generated per ton of ice produced – equivalent to heating liquid water by 80 °C. End-to-end thermal efficiencies of 5—10% at interior sites embody equivalent power to the same mass of freshwater sent through a hydro-dam 1,700—3,400m tall. Commercial refrigeration technologies might be readily adapted for electricity production. Practical, clean and affordable glaciothermal power generation represents a significant and timely development in energy technology.