Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC): A technology that uses the temperature difference between the surface and deep layers of the ocean to generate electricity.

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC): A technology that uses the temperature difference between the surface and deep layers of the ocean to generate electricity.
Surface water: Warm water layer near the surface of the ocean, used for evaporation in OTEC.
Deep water: Cold water layer in the depths of the ocean, used for condensation in OTEC.
Temperature difference: The difference in temperature between surface water and deep water, which affects the efficiency of power generation in OTEC.
Turbine: A machine that converts steam or fluid energy into rotary motion to drive a generator.
Sustainable Energy Sources: Environmentally friendly and long-term available energy sources, of which OTEC is an example.
Global warming mitigation: slowing the progression of global warming by reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
Renewable Energy: Energy sources that are derived from the natural environment and are not depleted. Includes solar, wind, OTEC, etc.
Near Equator: Areas around the Earth's equator where there are large temperature differences suitable for OTEC.
200 nautical mile economic zone: An exclusive economic zone in which coastal countries can enjoy their own economic benefits. An example for Japan would include 86 tons of oil equivalent energy.
Ammonia: A low-boiling liquid used in OTEC. Evaporation and condensation turn turbines.
Closed-loop cycle: A cycle in OTEC in which a low-boiling liquid is evaporated to turn a turbine and then condensed.
Open-loop cycle: A cycle of OTEC in which warm seawater is directly evaporated to generate electricity and then condensed.
Mixed-loop cycle: An OTEC cycle that combines closed-loop and open-loop characteristics.
Tropical: A region near the earth's equator with large temperature differences suitable for OTEC.
Initial investment cost: The capital required at the start of a project, one of the challenges of OTEC.
Facility durability: Ability of facilities to function for a long period of time, an important issue for OTEC.
Environmental Impact: The impact of a project on the environment, which in the case of OTEC includes the impact on the marine ecosystem.
Marine ecosystem: the marine ecosystem; the impact of OTEC implementation needs to be assessed.
Industry-academia collaboration: collaboration between industry and academia, noted as a success story in OTEC technology development.