Are you familiar with Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion?

This is something essentially referred to as a heat engine, and has the capability of generating enormous quantities of energy when mastered. For example, OTEC relies on the difference in temperature between the upper layers of the ocean’s waters and the deeper layers. This hot to cold transition is able to actually spin a turbine, and is therefore a viable source of alternative energy. It is actually similar to the way that the average steam turbine operates, and has been around since the late 1800s. Today, OTEC plants are being examined as a very viable form of electricity for large scale, commercial capabilities.

Consider that the Earth’s surface is 70% water, and this makes the oceans the largest form of solar collector available because the sun continually heats them. In fact, the United States Department of Energy estimates that the oceans can generate energy equivalent to over 200 billion barrels of oil each day — if only we know how to capture it. This is where OTEC enters the equation.

This article appears in Sep 23-29, 2010.