Latest news with #OceanThermalEnergyConversion
Daily Express
25-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
How thermal energy can unlock Sabah's economic potential
Published on: Sunday, May 25, 2025 Published on: Sun, May 25, 2025 Text Size: The nutrient-rich deep ocean/sea water (DOW) used in OTEC processes can be channelled into aquaculture. (Pic: Bayu Aquaculture) The recent enactment of the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) law by the Sabah Legislative Assembly marks a pivotal step towards sustainable development. Beyond generating renewable energy, OTEC technology offers a multitude of benefits that can significantly enhance Sabah's economy and the well-being of its people. Desalinated Water Production Otec systems inherently produce fresh water as a byproduct, addressing water scarcity issues prevalent in many regions. This desalinated water can support agriculture, provide potable water to communities, and reduce reliance on traditional, energy-intensive desalination methods. Aquaculture Enhancement The nutrient-rich deep ocean/sea water (DOW) used in OTEC processes can be channelled into aquaculture, fostering the cultivation of high-value marine species. Advertisement This not only boosts local food production but also creates employment opportunities in fisheries and related industries. Agricultural Productivity Soil cooling systems can utilize DOW's cool temperatures to cultivate temperate crops in tropical climates. This diversification can lead to increased agricultural yields and the introduction of new crops to the market, benefiting local farmers and consumers alike. Tourism Development Integrating OTEC facilities with tourism can create unique attractions, such as spas and wellness centres that use the mineral-rich DOW. This can attract tourists seeking novel experiences, thereby boosting the local tourism industry and generating additional revenue. Air Conditioning Efficiency District cooling systems can use the cold seawater from Otec systems as an energy-efficient alternative to air conditioning in urban areas. This reduces electricity consumption and operational costs, contributing to more sustainable urban development. Green hydrogen production. Otec technology facilitates the production of green hydrogen, a clean fuel with applications in various industries, including transportation and manufacturing. Developing a green hydrogen economy can position Sabah as a leader in renewable energy innovation. Environmental Conservation By reducing reliance on fossil fuels, Otec contributes to lower greenhouse gas emissions, aiding in the fight against climate change. Additionally, the sustainable use of ocean resources promotes marine conservation efforts. Educational and research opportunities. The implementation of Otec projects can serve as a platform for scientific research and education, fostering innovation and knowledge transfer. Collaborations with academic institutions can lead to advancements in marine sciences and renewable energy technologies. Community Empowerment Participating local communities in Otec projects guarantees the equitable distribution of benefits. Capacity-building initiatives can equip residents with the skills needed to participate in and sustain these projects, promoting inclusive development. Economic Diversification The multifaceted applications of Otec technology can stimulate various sectors, from agriculture to tourism, leading to a more resilient and diversified economy. This reduces dependence on traditional industries and opens new avenues for growth. Human resource development and technology transfer. The adoption of OTEC technology necessitates special skills and knowledge, prompting the development of targeted educational and training programs. The emphasis on human resource development equips the local workforce to manage and operate OTEC facilities, promoting a culture of innovation and technical proficiency. Collaborations with international experts facilitate the transfer of technology, enabling Sabah to build local expertise and reduce dependence on external resources. Upstream and downstream business opportunities. Otec technology stimulates a spectrum of business opportunities. Upstream activities include research and development, engineering, and manufacturing of OTEC components, which can invigorate local industries and create high-skilled jobs. Downstream, the benefits extend to sectors such as agriculture, aquaculture, tourism, and water supply, all of which can leverage the outputs of Otec systems to enhance their operations and services. This integrated approach fosters a robust economic ecosystem, driving sustainable development across the state. Otec law represents a transformative opportunity for Sabah. By harnessing the ocean's thermal energy, the state can unlock a spectrum of benefits that drive economic growth, environmental sustainability and social well-being. Strategic planning and community involvement will be crucial in realising the full potential of OTEC technology, paving the way for a prosperous and sustainable future for Sabah. Mohd Haris Abdul Rani (UiTM)
Daily Express
25-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Sabah ventures into tapping thermal energy from the sea
Published on: Sunday, May 25, 2025 Published on: Sun, May 25, 2025 By: David Thien Text Size: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said these studies will be completed within a year. (AFP pic) THE passing of the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Enactment 2024 in the State Assembly on April 25, last year, makes Sabah the first in Asean to come up with a blueprint on OTEC development. Following Sabah's lead, the Sarawak State Government also announced interest in expanding its renewable energy sources portfolio by tapping ocean thermal energy. OTEC is an innovative technology that converts the sea's thermal energy into electricity. This new cheaper, greener energy from an innovative technology involves harnessing the temperature difference between warm surface seawater and cold deep seawater to generate clean energy. Based on research, Sabah has the potential of generating up to 20,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity, comprising 15,000MW in the west coast waters and 5,000MW in the east coast. But its full implementation is expected to take about five years. 'Sabah is surrounded by vast oceans, making it the ideal location for this technology as research findings have indicated that certain areas in the state have the potential to generate up to 20,000MW of electricity which could be used to produce green hydrogen, a highly sought-after energy source to achieve net zero carbon emissions goals,' said ECoS CEO Datuk Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid. Advertisement 'If we can successfully develop one per cent of 20,000MW, it is already 200MW which is already big. The potential of OTEC is really huge,' he said. The two areas identified as suitable for OTEC development are the South China Sea on the west coast and Tawau-Semporna deep sea on the east coast. Tapping the energy 15km from the shore is seen as the most viable 'low-hanging fruit' compared to doing so 100km offshore. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said this would pave the way for the development of OTEC as a new source of renewable energy and as one of the main initiatives under the State's Blue Economy which was commended by the Prime Minister for its game-changer direction. The development of OTEC technology aligns with the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Master Plan 2040 (SE-RAMP 2040) launched in September 2023 to increase the renewable energy mix and identify new energy sources and technologies for the long term. If implemented successfully, OTEC would make a major impact as a sustainable green energy solution desired by all countries. It will help Sabah and Malaysia to achieve some Sustainable Development Goals in its decarbonisation target and increase its renewable energy mix in its energy transition journey towards net zero target. The journey towards achieving net zero carbon emissions has created more innovation, collaboration and inclusivity opportunities. Three Malaysian companies have been authorised to conduct year-long feasibility studies off Tawau-Semporna deep sea waters and submit their plans to the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) for approval and implementation. A preliminary feasibility study is also being conducted by the UTM Ocean Thermal Energy Centre, through collaboration between Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) for the development of a potential OTEC plant project in Sabah. 'The Prime Minister acknowledged the importance of Sabah's Blue Economy. A seminar was held as a follow-up to maintain the momentum,' Hajiji said. The seminar being referred to was the 'Sabah International Blue Economy Conference 2024 (SIBEC)' organised by Invest Sabah, ECoS and SMJ Energy last year. 'We want to create awareness on OTEC and its technology which is not new. It will increase our renewable energy mix and position Sabah as such a game changer centre of excellence and a beacon of sustainable resilience as a prime investment destination,' said CEO of Invest Sabah Berhad, Dr Firdausi Suffian. He said this industry would help create jobs and attract direct foreign investments to Sabah with the development of downstream secondary products such as marine culture products and drinking water to further generate economic development to be a powerhouse in Malaysia, strong into innovative, regenerative blue economy drive. Innovative new renewable energy source It is time for Sabahans to think outside the box and be open towards adopting new ways, knowledge and technology to accelerate progress and development. Chief Coordinating Officer of Sabah Maju Jaya Secretariat Datuk (Datu) Rosmadi Datu Sulai, said this to emphasize the state's vision for a regenerative blue economy in his speech at the 'Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Seminar' at the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort on Wednesday. He underscored the need to transition from traditional industries to innovative, sustainable sectors, which will not only spur economic development but also generate substantial job opportunities for the people of Sabah as Sabah is making significant strides in renewable energy, with a strong focus on Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC). Dr. Firdausi Suffian, Chief Executive Officer of Invest Sabah Berhad, announced that Sabah is leading the way in renewable energy, particularly through its championing of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), establishing itself as a key player in sustainable energy solutions. 'With a focus on creating a favourable business environment, Sabah presents unique opportunities for both local and international investors eager to engage with its rich natural resources and strong infrastructure,' he said. ECoS CEO Datuk Ir. Abdul Nasser bin Abdul Wahid elaborated on the Commission's regulatory role in overseeing OTEC projects. He emphasised the importance of aligning these initiatives with the state's economic interests while ensuring environmental sustainability. 'Identifying potential sites for OTEC development on both the West and East Coasts of Sabah is underway, paving the way for a sustainable energy future,' he said. At the event, industry leaders from Deep Sea Energy Australia, Global OTEC UK, Ocean Thermal Energy Services (OTES), Satu Teguh International Berhad, and Sinar Development & Consultancy Sdn Bhd met to explore OTEC's potential in Sabah. Their discussions covered its technological, economic, and environmental benefits, providing key insights for the region. With strong collaboration between government, industry, and international partners, Sabah is positioning itself as a regional leader in renewable energy. By embracing OTEC, the state aims to foster sustainable growth and gain prominence in the global renewable energy sector. Move can benefit coastal cities, islands FOUNDER and CEO of Global Otec, Dan Grech, said his company's mission is to commercialise Otec so that tropical islands and coastal cities can access cheap, clean and secure energy by replacing fossil fuels. He said Sabah's vast Otec resources can not only power Sabah's clean and green energy demands but also create export opportunities. 'A successful pilot project will unlock direct foreign investment into subsequent projects, attracting billions of dollars of investment to generate clean electricity at scale. 'Public awareness and policy support is crucial as Otec remains relatively unknown, with limited understanding among governments and the public.' He stressed that raising awareness and implementing supportive policies are crucial for accelerating adoption as prototypes and small-scale plants face high capital expenditures (Capex) and cost of energy (LCOS), making private investment challenging without government support and financial incentives. Otec is a century old technology. In the 1880s, at the time when the British North Borneo Chartered Company was set up, French physicist Jacques Arsene d'Arsonval developed the first practical Otec system. By 1930, his student George Claude built the first Otec plant in Cuba. 'During the 1970s and 1980s, the United States and Japan led experimentations with OTEC. Over the years, there have been other small-scale and non-commercial implementations. 'While small scale OTEC projects have proven reliability, such as those in Hawaii and Japan, scaling up to commercial plants – for example, 10 MW, is the technical limit using today's technology,' said Dan. He cited South Korea is testing its 1 MW-sized Otec plant on a barge known as 'K — OTEC1000' since September 2019. 'Otec harnesses the thermal gradient of tropical oceans, providing a continuous, renewable energy source. 'With an estimated global potential of 8,000 GW, Otec could significantly contribute to decarbonisation efforts, promote biodiversity conservation with sustainable resource use and contribute to global climate resilience.' He also said the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion set up off Tawau-Semporna must avoid being sited in contested zones claimed by Indonesia. Malaysia is set to launch its first hybrid Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (H-OTEC) plant, the first in South East Asia soon.
The Sun
28-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia making progress on climate governance front
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is strengthening its climate governance and sustainability framework with a laser focus on sector-specific actions, green finance and regional colla-boration. Climate Governance Malaysia (CGM) Council chairman Dr Gary Theseira (pic) outlined how Malaysia is positioning itself as an Asean leader in environmental, social and governance (ESG) transition, underpinned by policy alignment, financial innovation, and corporate participation. 'The energy sector remains the top contributor to Malaysia's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for more than 79% of total emissions, according to the Initial Biennial Transparency Report 2024. 'This includes power generation and transportation, both heavily dependent on fossil fuels. To address this, Malaysia's National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) is crucial. It prioritises the move from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as hydroelectricity, solar photovoltaic (PV), and emerging technologies like biomass gasification and Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC). 'The urgency to decarbonise the national grid goes hand in hand with the rapid electrification of transport and net-zero targets by corporations,' he told SunBiz. He pointed to the rise of 'behind-the-meter' solar PV solutions, which allow users to generate electricity on-site, easing the burden on the national grid while accelerating decarbonisation. 'However, Malaysia's climate strategy doesn't stop at emissions reduction. Equally vital is the preservation of natural carbon sinks. The Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector plays a pivotal role, seques-tering over 212 million tonnes of CO₂ equi-valent annually. 'Protecting forests and urban green spaces, which not only absorb carbon but also regulate temperature and humidity is important,' he stressed. Additionally, Theseira noted that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are another essential component of Malaysia's ESG journey. 'As key players in corporate value chains, their emissions data significantly influence major corporations' Scope 3 disclosures under the National Sustainability Reporting Frame-work (NSRF). 'Tools such as the Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide (SEDG) and the GHG Protocol have made it easier for SMEs to assess and report their emissions, contributing to a more transparent and accountable corporate landscape. 'Private investment in green projects remains a challenge, largely due to policy uncertainty and a lack of ecosystem support. Clear, coherent, and impactful government policies are essential to encourage long-term planning and investor confidence,' he said, adding that governments must foster resilient ecosystems and incentivise sectors aligned with climate goals to attract meaningful capital flows. To enhance the appeal of green financial instruments like sustainability-linked loans and green bonds, Theseira stressed the importance of measurable and certifiable impact, in line with government policy, further high-lighting the need for rigorous anti-greenwashing assessments to maintain investor trust, especially among retail investors increasingly concerned about ethical investments. 'Malaysia can also draw lessons from emerging markets such as China, India, and Brazil, which have successfully mobi-lised transition finance through strong policies, international collaboration, and innovative financing models. 'Malaysia should develop a clear transition roadmap, align its disclosure standards with global frameworks, and focus on 'bankable' projects such as grid upgrades and critical mineral development to attract private capital,' he remarked. Looking ahead, Theseira expressed optimism that now is the perfect moment to harmonise sustainability standards across Asean as the nation is assuming the chairmanship, enabling the region to better compete in global markets and secure its position as a trusted source of sustainable goods and services. He also expressed optimism about the National Climate Governance Summit 2025, which focuses on transition finance. 'The summit brings together regional stakeholders and global experts, offering a platform to share best practices and forge collaborative pathways toward a low-carbon future,' he said. Over the next five to 10 years, Theseira envisions Malaysia strengthening its climate governance frameworks and aligning them with global standards. 'With a Renewable Energy target of 70% by 2050 and a net-zero goal by the same year, he called for setting a national emissions peak and peaking window, a move that would signal commitment ahead of COP30 in Brazil and guide policy and industry action alike,' he said.
Associated Press
08-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Shane Osborn Joins Ocean Thermal Energy Corporation as Program Manager for Federal and Commercial Partnerships
Philadelphia, PA April 07, 2025 --( Ocean Thermal Energy Corporation (OTE Corp), a leader in energy and desalinated water solutions, proudly announces the appointment of Shane Osborn as Program Manager for Federal and Commercial Partnerships. Osborn brings decades of leadership experience in the military, government, and renewable energy sectors, making him a valuable asset in advancing OTE Carp's growing portfolio of defense and commercial projects. As a combat-decorated U.S. Navy veteran, Osborn earned international recognition for his extraordinary leadership after safely landing a damaged U.S. Navy EP-3 aircraft following a mid-air collision in international airspace with a Chinese fighter jet in 2001. His heroism earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Meritorious Service Medal. Osborn later served as Nebraska State Treasurer, overseeing over Sl7 billion in pension assets and implementing award-winning transparency initiatives. He is also the founder and CEO of RWH Energy, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy as an approved Energy Service Company (ESCO). In his new role at OTE Corp, Osborn will lead engagement with the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and strategic commercial partners, helping to identify, secure, and manage mission-critical energy and water infrastructure projects that will improve resiliency through energy independence for remote military bases in tropical regions. 'We are honored to welcome Shane to the OTE team,' said Jeremy P. Feakins, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at OTE Corp. 'His leadership, integrity, and extensive federal experience perfectly align with our mission to deliver sustainable infrastructure where it's needed most.' Contract for U.S. Army Through Johnson Controls OTE Corp is executing a significant contract with Johnson Controls to support a U.S. Army base in the Pacific. This project focuses on implementing advanced Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) technology to enhance energy resilience and reduce dependence on imported fuels. OTE's systems are designed to deliver continuous, 24/7 baseload renewable power tailored for the unique needs of remote or mission-critical military installations. This contract represents a pivotal milestone for OTE Corp, underscoring the U.S. military's confidence in our deep technical expertise, engineering innovation, and decades-long experience with OTEC technology. About Ocean Thermal Energy Corporation (OTE Corp) OTE Corp is a U.S.-based renewable energy company specializing in Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) and Seawater Air Conditioning (SWAC) systems. OTEC harnesses the temperature difference between warm surface and cold deep seawater to generate clean, reliable, and sustainable baseload power, making it especially valuable in tropical regions and island nations. SWAC uses deep seawater to deliver energy-efficient cooling for buildings and facilities, dramatically reducing electricity consumption and emissions. With a long history of developing OTEC systems for U.S. military and island applications, OTE Corp is positioned at the forefront of climate-resilient infrastructure, helping to meet energy and water security needs in strategic global locations. Safe Harbor Statement Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the 'safe harbor' provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that statements in this press release regarding OTE's plans or expectations constitute forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that can cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: a decision by any of the interested parties to not enter into a definitive power purchase agreement; the inability of the parties to successfully negotiate and enter into a definitive power purchase agreement; the inability of the parties to meet every closing condition contained in such definitive power purchase agreement and the protection and maintenance of OTE's intellectual property rights. Additional information and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are contained in OTE's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the heading 'Risk Factors.' Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made, and the facts and assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements may change. Except as required by law, OTE disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect future information, events, or circumstances. 717-299-1344
