Harnessing Ocean Thermal Energy for Energy and Desalination – A Review of Initiatives in India

The Indian subcontinent is surrounded by tropical waters and there is significant potential for extracting energy from ocean thermal gradient for power generation with the temperature difference available throughout the year. OTEC has the potential to proliferate in India and fuel economic growth while reducing carbon footprint and creating jobs along its supply chains. It is important to bring the OTEC technologies to the stage where they can be used for commercial exploitation and for societal usage. This article reviews and discusses past and present developmental activities spearheaded by National Institute of Ocean Technology to harvest this potent clean and renewable energy resource to provide a sustainable solution to scarcity of electricity and drinking water in islands and remote coastal areas.