Ocean thermal energy conversion ¿ past progress and future prospects

An overview is provided of the current status of ocean thermal energy conversion, together with an historical perspective and the progress anticipated in the next ten years. The problems yet to be resolved are briefly described, and the importance of providing risk assessments is stressed so that funding agencies may be persuaded of the commercial prospects for this base-load generating system consisting predominantly of existing technology. It is concluded that a limited market exists for island developing nations, with prospects for substantial growth as OTEC plant efficiency improves or as oil prices increase.