This brief examines ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) technologies, one of the key methods for tapping renewable energy from the world’s oceans.

The potential of oceans as an energy source is staggering – more than sufficient to meet global electricity demand well into the future. Ocean resources vary from tidal currents and waves, to temperature and salinity gradients.

This brief examines wave energy technologies, one of the key methods for tapping renewable energy from the world’s oceans.

Oceans contain enormous untapped renewable energy potential, theoretically equivalent to more than double the world's current electricity demand.

This brief examines tidal energy technologies, one of the key methods for tapping renewable energy from the world’s oceans.

This series of technology briefs provides technical background information, analyses market potential and barriers and provides insights for policy makers on key types of renewable energy technology. The briefs, produced by IRENA in collaboration with the International Energy Agency’s Energy Technology Systems Analysis Programme (IEA-ETSAP), cover different technologies or processes:

The report provides insights on various emerging offshore renewable energy technologies and their underlying potential. It also outlines a possible Action Plan for the G20 countries to drive offshore technologies closer to the commercialisation phase.

This brief examines salinity gradient energy technologies, one of the key methods for tapping renewable energy from the world’s oceans.

Offshore renewable energy – including offshore wind and solar power, as well as emerging ocean energy technologies – could support sustainable long-term development and drive a vibrant blue economy. 

This brief from IRENA's Collaborative Framework on Ocean Energy and Offshore Renewables presents actionable solutions to address permitting bottlenecks and accelerate related processes for scaling up offshore wind deployment.

This brief from the Collaborative Framework for Ocean Energy Technologies and Offshore Renewables provides options for scaling up investments in ocean energy, focusing on tidal stream and wave energy technologies.