Scientists and engineers around the world are striving to develop new sources of energy. This book explores one of these energy alternatives, ocean thermal energy conversion. William H. Avery, the leading researcher in this field, describes the workings of an OTEC power plant and addresses how such a power source might be implemented for national use.OTEC uses solar energy absorbed in surface waters of tropical oceans to produce fuels and electricity. OTEC is safe, environmentally benign and inexhaustable - his book studies its potential and the alternatives.