Arguably, most of you reading this have never heard of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), however, believe it or not, it’s concept was first thought of in 1881, by a French engineer named Jacques D’Arsonval. That’s a long time, but to this day The Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii contains the only operational OTEC plant in the world. It is an experimental plant. The biggest obstacle concerning OTEC exploration and possible implementation is its high costs.

Research indicates that thermal energy from the ocean would be significantly clean burning without adding pollutants into the environment. Unfortunately, another problem with OTEC is that with the technologies currently available, OTEC plants would be able to disrupt and possibly cause harm to local environments.

OTEC plants are capable of being utilized to pump up deep cold sea water which can subsequently used in refrigeration as well as air conditioning. Also, using sea water in an enclosed area, can be used for mariculture and aquaculture projects such as fish farming. There is certainly various uses for this alternative energy source.