OTEC

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a marine renewable energy technology that harnesses the solar energy absorbed by the oceans. OTEC generates electricity by exchanging heat with the warm water from the ocean surface and with the cold water from the deep ocean. The exchanged heat drives the Rankine cycle, which converts it to electricity. The technology is viable primarily in equatorial areas where the year-round temperature differential is at least 20 degrees Celsius.

One of the main advantages when comparing OTEC to other renewables, such as wind and solar energy, is the fact that OTEC is a baseload source, available day and night. This is a big advantage for tropical islands that typically have a small, isolated, electric grids, not capable of handling a large share of intermittent power.