Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) is a renewable energy technology that generates electricity by exploiting the temperature difference between warm surface waters and cold deep waters in tropical oceans. OTEC systems use a heat engine to convert this thermal energy into mechanical power and then electricity. There are two main types of OTEC systems - closed-cycle systems that use a working fluid like ammonia, and open-cycle systems that use seawater directly. While OTEC is a clean energy source that can provide baseload power, its development has been limited by high costs compared to fossil fuels. However, as fossil fuel reserves decline, OTEC may become an important future energy option that can also produce fresh water.