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We can measure the value of an ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) plant and continued OTEC development by both its economic and noneconomic benefits. OTEC's economic benefits include these:
- Helps produce fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol
- Produces baseload electrical energy
- Produces desalinated water for industrial, agricultural, and residential uses
- Is a resource for on-shore and near-shore mariculture operations
- Provides air-conditioning for buildings
- Provides moderate-temperature refrigeration
- Has significant potential to provide clean, cost-effective electricity for the future.
OTEC's noneconomic benefits, which help us achieve global environmental goals, include these:
- Promotes competitiveness and international trade
- Enhances energy independence and energy security
- Promotes international sociopolitical stability
- Has potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions resulting from burning fossil fuels.
In small island nations, the benefits of OTEC include self-sufficiency, minimal environmental impacts, and improved sanitation and nutrition, which result from the greater availability of desalinated water and mariculture products. |