OTEC, which stands for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion, is a technology that harnesses the temperature difference between the warm surface waters of the ocean and the deep, cold seawater to generate electricity.
OTEC works on the principle of thermodynamics, where a fluid with a high temperature can transfer heat to a fluid with a low temperature to generate power. In the case of OTEC, warm seawater is used to vaporize a working fluid, such as ammonia, which then drives a turbine to generate electricity. The vapor is then cooled by the cold seawater, condensing back into a liquid that can be reused.
OTEC has the potential to provide a renewable and steady source of electricity, especially for coastal countries near the equator, where the temperature difference between the warm surface waters and deep seawater is greatest. The technology is still in its early stages of development, and large-scale commercial OTEC plants have yet to be built, but it has been demonstrated on a small scale and is considered a promising source of renewable energy.