Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic director focused on measurable results and operational excellence in maritime education. Integrates IMO/STCW regulations and ISO 21001/9001 f
Masters · 1500 h · 11 modules
Master's in Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)
The Master's in Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Prepares you to assess, design and manage ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) projects, a technology that harnesses the temperature difference between surface and deep wate
Duration1500 h
FormatOnline
Starts14 December
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
Prior Knowledge Assessment
These are the skills this programme builds. Tick the ones you already have and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is really for you.
Your profile
Tick what you already know to see your result.
Programme overview
What is the Master’s in Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)?
The Master's in Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)
Prepares you to assess, design and manage ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) projects, a technology that harnesses the temperature difference between surface and deep water in tropical seas. You will study the thermal resource, open, closed and hybrid thermodynamic cycles, heat exchangers, the cold water pipe, platforms and moorings, co-products such as desalination and seawater air conditioning, and the technical, environmental and economic viability of a technology that is still at demonstration stage.
Key advantages
- Emerging technology: A dispatchable renewable source of great interest to tropical islands.
- Complete engineering: Thermodynamics, heat transfer, offshore structures and grid connection.
- Multiple uses: Electricity, desalinated water, cooling and aquaculture.
- A realistic view: Technical challenges, costs and lessons from pilot plants.
- Your own project: A feasibility study for an OTEC plant at a real site.
Programme type
Master's Degree
Study mode
Online
Duration
1,500 hours
Modules
11
Programme highlights
- Assess the resource: Analyse the ocean thermal gradient with real data.
- Design the cycle: Model open, closed and hybrid cycles.
- Size components: Calculate heat exchangers and the cold water pipe.
- Integrate uses: Combine power with water, cooling and aquaculture.
- Boost your career: Open doors to engineering firms, marine renewables developers and technology centres.
- Train to harness the ocean’s heat as a clean, continuous source of energy.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 11 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Fundamentals of Ocean Thermal Energy
- The ocean as a solar collector
- Thermal structure of the ocean
- History of OTEC technology
- Operating principle
- Pilot and demonstration plants
- Advantages over other renewables
- Limitations and challenges
- Potential markets
- Sector players
- Current state of the technology
02
Thermal Resource Assessment
- Temperature profiles
- Satellite and buoy data
- Ocean reanalyses
- Seasonal variability
- Bathymetry and distance from shore
- Currents and waves at the site
- Site selection criteria
- Resource maps
- Effects of climate change
- Resource report
03
Thermodynamics of OTEC Cycles
- Thermodynamics refresher
- Carnot efficiency and practical limits
- Closed Rankine cycle
- Working fluids
- The Kalina cycle
- Open Claude cycle
- Hybrid cycles
- Parasitic losses and net power
- Cycle optimisation
- Cycle simulation
04
Heat Exchangers and Equipment
- Heat transfer across small temperature differences
- Types of heat exchanger
- Materials and corrosion
- Biofouling and cleaning
- Evaporators and condensers
- Low-pressure turbines
- Seawater pumps
- Control systems
- Equipment reliability
- Maintenance
05
Cold Water Pipe and Intakes
- Role of the cold water pipe
- Pipe materials
- Hydraulic design
- Current and wave loads
- Installing large-diameter pipes
- Connection to platform or shore
- Surface water intakes
- Mixed water discharges
- Inspection and repair
- Lessons learned
06
Platforms, Moorings and Connection
- Land-based plants
- Floating plants
- Platform types
- Mooring and anchoring systems
- Behaviour at sea
- Subsea power cable
- Grid connection
- Structural safety
- Offshore design standards
- Weather risks
07
Deep Seawater Co-Products
- Desalination with open-cycle OTEC
- Seawater air conditioning
- Aquaculture using deep water
- Hydrogen production
- Cold-water agriculture
- Deep seawater products
- Multi-use parks
- Economics of combined uses
- Application cases
- Integration into local planning
08
Environmental Impact and Management
- Effects of water discharge
- Changes to nutrients and plankton
- Entrainment of organisms
- Noise and electromagnetic fields
- Working fluid emissions
- Environmental impact assessment
- Environmental monitoring
- Marine spatial planning
- Community engagement
- Mitigation measures
09
Economics, Financing and Consenting
- Capital costs
- Operating costs
- Levelised cost of energy
- Learning curves and scale-up
- Business models
- Financing emerging projects
- Power purchase agreements
- Project risks
- Legal framework in territorial waters
- Consenting and permits
10
Islands, Isolated Systems and Strategy
- Island energy needs
- Diesel generation and its replacement
- Integration with solar and storage
- Dispatchability and firm capacity
- Stability of small grids
- Energy security
- Island energy planning
- International cooperation
- Technology roadmap
- Knowledge transfer
11
Master's Final Project: OTEC Plant Feasibility Study
- Site selection
- Resource assessment
- Cycle selection
- Conceptual plant design
- Component sizing
- Co-products
- Environmental assessment
- Economic analysis
- Development plan and risks
- Defence before a panel
Workload
Study Time and Workload
1500 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Mechanical, naval, energy or industrial engineers: who want to specialise in marine energy Physics or marine science graduates: interested in ocean energy conversion Renewable energy company staff: looking to diversify their technologies Energy managers on tropical islands and territories: assessing local sources Researchers and consultants: who analyse emerging technologies
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Assess the thermal resource
- 02Master OTEC cycles
- 03Design the components
- 04Define the platform
- 05Integrate co-products
- 06Assess viability
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Marine energy engineer: Project design and development.
02Renewable energy consultant: Feasibility and resource studies.
03Island energy planning specialist: Public bodies and utilities.
04Thermal process engineer: Cycles, heat exchangers and equipment.
05Offshore project manager: Technical and financial coordination.
06Ocean energy researcher: Technology centres and universities.
Questions
Entry Requirements
It is still at demonstration stage; the programme takes a realistic look at its potential and challenges.
Mainly in tropical seas with a sufficient temperature difference between the surface and deep water.
Yes. You simulate open, closed and hybrid cycles using calculation tools.
Yes. Desalination, cooling, aquaculture and hydrogen production.
A complete feasibility study for an OTEC plant at a real site.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 1500 hours of study. You can work at your own pace within the timetable we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by our admissions team when you enquire.
On completing the programme you receive the Master's in Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) qualification awarded by Navalis Magna Institute.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Academic/professional profile: A degree in mechanical, naval, energy, chemical, civil or industrial engineering, physics, marine science or a related field; or proven professional experience in the energy sector. Language: A good working level of English to follow classes and materials. Technical requirements: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a webcam for live sessions and project presentations. Admissions process: Online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team. We confirm your start date when you enquire.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Leave your details and admissions will write back. If you already know this is the one, go straight to the application and pay in the same session.