The ocean thermal resource and the Pacific

Abstract

A generic view of solar energy schemes demonstrates that ocean thermal energy represents an optimum integration of solar energy. It is shown that experimental results for both energy and aquaculture have equaled or exceeded the optimistic estimates of protagonists. Resistence to the development of ocean thermal energy is identified as political and not economic. It is concluded that an economic form of OTEC must be demonstrated in the near future if the realization of this major form of energy is not to be deferred.