The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has published a series of technology papers exploring the potential for power generation and other sustainable applications from ocean energy.
The papers cover the main features and current status of four technology types: tidal energy; wave energy; ocean thermal energy conversion; and salinity gradient energy.
Describing ocean thermal energy conversion as having the highest potential of all ocean energy technologies, the respective Brief notes that: these technologies could supply the total worldwide power generation capacity with zero impact on ocean temperature profiles; 98 countries and territories have been identified as having viable resources; the technologies are particularly suitable for remote islands in tropical seas; and existing barriers include high up-front capital costs and lack of experience in building at scale.