The news source for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)

 

Saga University
Saga University of Japan has an OTEC Laboratory. This laboratory is collaborating with NIOT in India on the Sagar Shakti reserach vessel.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the USA has a concise overview of OTEC and its potential.

International OTEC/DOWA Association (IOA)
IOA was established in December 1989 by a group of more than 50 professionals from Asia, Europe and North America, all involved in OTEC and related activities. It had a good online quarterly newsletter between 1990 and 2002 which can still be found online.

National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT)
NIOT of India has an on going extensive research program into OTEC. In 2002 they completed the Sagar Shakti reseach vessel which will carry a 1 MW OTEC research plant. However deployment has been delayed due to problems with the deep water pipe.

Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA)
The most successful OTEC research to date has been performed at NELHA. The OTEC systems constructed and run there are actually decomissioned now, but that is after they successfully completed their research. Go direct to the the historcal overview.

Pacific International Center for High Technology Research (PICHTR)
PICHTR worked with NELHA to design, construct and operate the the world's only Open Cycle Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion system at the NELHA facilities at Keahole Point on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Sea Solar Power International
Sea Solar Power is the one commercial company which offers to sell OTEC plants of their own design. Sea Solar Power has secured funding from the Able Foundation for their first plant.

OCEES - Ocean Engineering & Energy Systems
OCEES International, Inc. works directly with industry, governmental and resource officials to customize integrated multi-product OTEC systems to meet local infrastructure needs.

Xenesys (english) (japanese)
Xenesys is working together with Saga University and the National Institute of Ocean Technology to create the first Indian OTEC pilot plant.

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
ISBN: 0-471-96009-8
Publishers: John Wiley & Sons, 1996
Authors: Patrick Takahashi, Andrew Trenka

This book is part of the UNESCO Energy Engineering Series, a distance learning package. It provides a good overview of OTEC and other ocean energy technologies. It has sections on economics as well as OTEC thermodynamics. This 75 page "booklet" is recommended to anyone who wants to get a quick overview, which also has some indepth material. Decently priced.

Renewable Energy from the Ocean
A Guide to OTEC
ISBN: 0-19-507199-9
Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1994
Authors: William H. Avery, Chih Wu

This is the "bible" in OTEC technology. Written by two very qualified professionals, an indepth study of OTEC. This book supposedly is getting a bit long in the tooth, but gives unrivaled background and indepth information on the subject. Not cheap, but worth it.