OTEC
The promising renewable energy in Sabah, Malaysia
Sathiabama T. Thirugnana (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia)
Ashwinder Kaur Amar Singh (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia)
Nur Fathirah Binti Mohd Rahimi (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia)
J.K.A. Langer (TU Delft - Offshore Engineering)
Tsutomu Nakaoka (Saga University)
Yasuyuki Ikegami (Saga University)
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Abstract
Fossil fuels are the major energy source for electricity in Malaysia. Considering the issues related to energy security and the severity of climate change it is imperative to explore alternative and sustainable energy sources. One such alternative that can be explored as a solution is Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC). OTEC is a renewable energy source that generates electricity from the thermal gradient between the surface and the deep seawater. The optimal condition for implementing OTEC technology is a temperature difference of at least 20°C between the surface and the deep seawater in the tropical and sub-tropic regions. Malaysia as a tropical country possess the ideal condition for OTEC. Aside from generating a base energy supply, an OTEC operating plant can be diversified to produce fresh water and integrate deep seawater technologies such as marine cultures, agriculture, and air-conditioning. Hence, OTEC technology can contribute to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by addressing global problems, including clean energy, freshwater production, and food security. This paper discusses the overview of OTEC technology and the present status of OTEC development in Malaysia. The authors hope that this review will provide useful insights on the ongoing projects and aspiration of materializing OTEC in Malaysia in the near future.