The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) is establishing an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion plant with a capacity of 65kW in Kavaratti, the capital of Lakshadweep islands.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; Minister of State PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh gave this information in a written reply in Lok Sabha. The plant will power the 1 lakh litre per day low temperature thermal desalination plant, which converts seawater into potable water.
The Union Minister also informed that the Ministry of Earth Sciences was developing technologies for mining deep sea resources like polymetallic nodules from the Central Indian Ocean at a water depth of 5500 metre and was working on introducing Ocean Climate Change Advisory Services for climate risk assessment due to sea level rise; cyclone intensity and frequency; storm surges and wind waves; and biogeochemistry, and changing harmful algal blooms in the coastal waters of India under Deep Ocean Mission (DOM). In addition, efforts were underway for the design and development of a prototype crewed submersible rated for 6000 metre water depth under the Mission. It will include technologies for underwater vehicles and underwater robotics. Further, measures were being taken for inventorization, archiving of specimens, and development of DNA bank of deep-sea fauna of Northern Indian Ocean through systematic sampling using remotely operated vehicle.
India Science Wire
