Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion—Flexible Enabling Technology for Variable Renewable Energy Integration in the Caribbean

Many Caribbean island nations have historically been heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels for both power and transportation, while at the same time being an enhanced risk from impacts of climate change, although their emissions represent a very tiny fraction global total responsible change. Small developing states (SIDSs) are among leaders in advocating ambitious 1.5 °C Paris Agreement target transition to 100% sustainable, renewable energy systems. In this work, three central results presented. First, through GIS mapping all islands, potential near-coastal deep-water as resource ocean thermal conversion (OTEC) is shown, these coupled with estimate countries which OTEC would be most advantageous due lack other dispatchable options. Secondly, hourly data utilized explicitly show trade-offs between battery storage needs sources such electricity systems, technological economic terms. Finally, utility near-shore, open-cycle accompanying desalination shown enable higher penetration lead lower system levelized costs than those conventional fuel system.