Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTECH) harnesses the temperature difference between warm surface waters and cold deep waters to run a heat engine and generate electricity. It works by using the warm upper ocean layer as a heat source to vaporize a working fluid like ammonia or propane, which then drives a turbine connected to a generator. The low pressure exhaust is then condensed back into a liquid using the cold water from the deep ocean and pumped back to repeat the process. While a promising renewable source of base load power, OTECH plants face challenges in efficiency due to pumping losses and high costs compared to other energy sources.