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JMSE
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Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion and Utilization
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Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion and Utilization

A special issue of Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (ISSN 2077-1312). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 July 2026 | Viewed by 3612

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Luis A. Vega

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Vega & Associates, Honolulu, HI, USA
Interests: marine renewable energy; development and commercialization of OTEC
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are seeking articles dealing with the practical application of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) for the generation of electricity from land or ocean-based plants connected to distribution systems. These could incorporate desalinated water generation; hydrogen (H2) generation; and other direct applications. Designs incorporating H2 generation and other applications can be housed in plants drifting in the open ocean.

Of the highest priority are articles dealing with final engineering designs based on existing commercially available components. However, we are also seeking articles dealing with ocean thermal resource assessment as a function of location.

Dr. Luis A. Vega
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • power block engineering design
  • cold water pipes’ (CWPs) design and installation
  • warm water and return water pipes’ design and installation
  • electricity generation control parameters
  • desalinated water and other products’ generation
  • deep ocean mooring design
  • innovative capital loan models

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

31 pages, 4140 KB  
Article
Evaluating the Offshore and Onshore Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Potential in Jamaica Using PCA-Based Site Selection
by Zachary Williams and Han Soo Lee
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(3), 276; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14030276 - 29 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1066
Abstract
Small island developing states (SIDS) face persistent energy security challenges due to heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels, with Jamaica experiencing residential electricity costs often exceeding 0.30 USD/kWh. This study presents the first national-scale, spatially explicit assessment of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) [...] Read more.
Small island developing states (SIDS) face persistent energy security challenges due to heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels, with Jamaica experiencing residential electricity costs often exceeding 0.30 USD/kWh. This study presents the first national-scale, spatially explicit assessment of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) potential around Jamaica, integrating oceanographic conditions, bathymetry, and infrastructure constraints with an archival-calibrated economic framework. Vertical thermal gradients between surface (20 m) and deep (1000 m) waters consistently exceed the 20 °C threshold required for closed-cycle operation across the entire Exclusive Economic Zone. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified five priority offshore zones where steep bathymetry enables deep-water access within 5–15 km of the coastline. To ensure technical realism, economic screening was calibrated against archival benchmarks adjusted via the U.S. Manufacturing Price Index (MPI). Results indicate that 10 MW offshore configurations yield a mean levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of 0.81 USD/kWh, exceeding current retail benchmarks. However, a strategic “economic window” was identified for near-shore onshore configurations; specifically, site ON-4 achieves an LCOE of 0.26 USD/kWh, effectively undercutting Jamaica’s all-in residential electricity price (≈0.33 USD/kWh). While offshore OTEC remains capital-intensive at the 10 MW scale, this study demonstrates that Jamaica’s exceptional nearshore bathymetry provides a credible pathway for first-of-a-kind onshore deployment, offering a stable, baseload alternative to volatile imported fuels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion and Utilization)
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20 pages, 4269 KB  
Article
Feasibility of Multi-Use Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Platforms
by Andrea Copping, Hayley Farr, Christopher Rumple, Kyungmin Park and Zhaoqing Yang
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(1), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14010064 - 30 Dec 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2054
Abstract
Many tropical islands and coastal communities suffer from high energy costs, unreliable electrical supplies, poverty, and underemployment, which are all exacerbated by climate change. Multi-use Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) systems could align with the goals and values of these underserved and remote [...] Read more.
Many tropical islands and coastal communities suffer from high energy costs, unreliable electrical supplies, poverty, and underemployment, which are all exacerbated by climate change. Multi-use Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) systems could align with the goals and values of these underserved and remote communities. Developing multi-use OTEC systems could help meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals #7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and #13 (Climate Action). Multiple uses of OTEC water and power are explored in this study, including seawater air conditioning, desalination, support for aquaculture in tropical regions, and other uses. A use case for an onshore OTEC plant at the location of the existing OTEC plant in Kona, Hawaii, is examined to determine if sufficient thermal resources exist for OTEC power generation year-round, and to determine the potential for each value-added use. Potential environmental effects are evaluated using a new open-source numerical model for determining the risk from the discharge of large volumes of cold deep seawater in the ocean. Companies currently using the cold deep seawater pumped ashore at the Kona location were surveyed to determine their dependence on and interest in expanded OTEC and cold-water availability at the site. The analysis indicates that multi-use OTEC is feasible, with seawater air conditioning (SWAC), aquaculture, and desalination being the most compatible immediate additions, while future potential exists for adding extraction of critical minerals from seawater and e-fuel generation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion and Utilization)
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