Introduction

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is an emerging marine renewable energy technology that converts the natural temperature difference between warm surface seawater and cold deep seawater into useful energy. With growing demand for 24/7 clean power, energy security, decarbonization, blue-economy innovation, and climate-resilient infrastructure, OTEC is attracting renewed attention for tropical and subtropical islands, coastal communities, offshore systems, and specialized subsea applications. Current developments demonstrate progress from laboratory and demonstration systems toward offshore engineering: a 20 kW OTEC system completed successful sea trials in the South China Sea in 2026, while a purpose-built floating OTEC platform was installed in the Canary Islands.

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Training Course develops practical and strategic knowledge across thermodynamics, open-cycle and closed-cycle systems, heat exchangers, seawater intake systems, cold-water pipes, power conversion, site assessment, techno-economic analysis, environmental sustainability, offshore engineering, digital monitoring, and project development. The course follows a hands-on, case-study-driven approach consistent with contemporary marine-energy training, combining technical instruction with simulations, mini-projects, demonstrations, and applied problem-solving.

Programme Curriculum

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Training Course

Introduction

Course Duration

5 days

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

Understand OTEC fundamentals and the thermodynamic principles governing ocean thermal gradients.
Evaluate OTEC resource potential using oceanographic, temperature-profile, and site-characterization data.
Differentiate closed-cycle, open-cycle, and hybrid OTEC configurations and identify suitable applications.
Assess heat-exchanger technologies for efficient thermal energy transfer and system performance.
Analyze seawater intake and cold-water-pipe systems, including offshore engineering considerations.
Apply energy and exergy analysis to improve OTEC conversion efficiency and operational performance.
Develop preliminary OTEC system models using contemporary simulation and data-analysis approaches.
Evaluate techno-economic feasibility, including CAPEX, OPEX, levelized cost of energy, and lifecycle considerations.
Assess environmental and marine impacts while integrating ESG and sustainable blue-economy principles.
Explore hybrid applications including desalination, aquaculture, district cooling, hydrogen-related systems, and ocean monitoring.
Analyze real-world OTEC case studies from demonstration projects and emerging offshore developments.
Develop project-development strategies covering financing, stakeholder engagement, permitting, risk management, and commercialization.
Design an integrated OTEC concept project incorporating technical, economic, environmental, and operational considerations.

Target Audience

Renewable Energy Engineers and Energy Specialists
Mechanical, Marine, Ocean, and Offshore Engineers
Electrical, Power Systems, and Energy-Systems Professionals
Government Energy, Climate, and Infrastructure Officials
Utility Companies and Independent Power Producers
Researchers, Academics, and Postgraduate Students
Blue-Economy, Sustainability, and Environmental Professionals
Project Developers, Investors, Consultants, and Technology Entrepreneurs

Course Modules

Module 1: OTEC Fundamentals, Energy Transition & Blue Economy

OTEC principles.
Marine energy landscape
Energy-transition drivers.
Blue-economy opportunities
Case study: Hawaii's early OTEC demonstration, including its 50 kW closed-cycle offshore system and deep-water intake.

Module 2: OTEC Cycles, Thermodynamics & System Architecture

Closed-cycle OTEC.
Open-cycle OTEC.
Hybrid OTEC.
Thermodynamic performance.
Case study: the 20 kW South China Sea system, where offshore trials demonstrated technical feasibility and recorded a maximum output of 16.4 kW.

Module 3: Ocean Resource Assessment & Site Characterization

Thermal-resource mapping
Depth optimization
Oceanographic datasets.
Site-screening criteria
Case study: Malaysia OTEC feasibility research using advanced data analytics and machine learning for thermal-resource and depth assessment.

Module 4: Heat Exchangers, Seawater Systems & Offshore Engineering

Heat-exchanger design
Cold-water pipes
Seawater pumping
Floating platforms
Case study: the 2026 Canary Islands floating OTEC platform installation addressing major offshore deployment challenges.

Module 5: OTEC Power Conversion, Digitalization & Performance Optimization

Power take-off systems
System modeling.
Digital OTEC
Optimization
Case study: 2026 compact OTEC research using AMESim-Simulink modeling and experimental validation of a hydraulic power-generation module.

Module 6: Integrated Applications & Sustainable Blue-Economy Systems

OTEC desalination.
District cooling.
Aquaculture integration
Ocean monitoring
Case study: NOAA's 2026 Hawaii demonstration of an autonomous acoustic profiling float powered by OTEC, supporting extended marine monitoring without conventional battery limitations.

Module 7: Environmental, Economic, Regulatory & Project Development

Environmental assessment
Techno-economic analysis
Regulatory frameworks
Financing and commercialization
Case study: emerging OTEC development pathways for island and coastal communities, where continuous renewable power can support energy security and reduce dependence on imported fuels.

Module 8: OTEC Project Design, Feasibility

Concept development
Pre-feasibility assessment
Risk management
Implementation roadmap
Case study: teams develop an OTEC concept for a tropical coastal or island application and present its technical design, business case, sustainability strategy, and commercialization roadmap.

Training Methodology

Interactive lectures and presentations.
Group discussions and brainstorming sessions.
Hands-on exercises using real-world datasets.
Role-playing and scenario-based simulations.
Analysis of case studies to bridge theory and practice.
Peer-to-peer learning and networking.
Expert-led Q&A sessions.
Continuous feedback and personalized guidance.

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@fineskilltrainingcenter.org or call +254769199797

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to Fineskill Training Center account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.

Programme Fee

Duration: 5 Days

Method: Online or Physical

Online Price: $1,000

Physical Price: $1,500

Certification: Accredited Certificate

View Available Dates 📄 Download Course Outline (PDF)

Available Sessions

Location

Month

Year

Sep 21 2026

21 Sep — 25 Sep 2026

💻 Online / Virtual session

Online $1,000