Unlike any other state, imported oil is the single thread that can completely unravel Hawaii's future. All these resources have the potential to help produce energy and reduce our dependence on imported petroleum. Hawaii is determined to explore the best ways to take advantage of its renewable energy resources. Each renewable resource helps curb global warming by reducing air pollution. Every barrel of oil or ton of coal replaced with these renewable resources will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide put into the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide is considered by many as one of the major contributors to global warming.
This Energy Fact Sheet describes OTEC Hawaii's role in its development. OTEC makes use of the difference in temperature between the warm surface water of the ocean and the cold water in depths below 2,000 feet to generate electricity. Advantages OTEC uses clean, abundant, renewable, natural resources. Warm surface sea water and cold water from the ocean depths replace fossil fuels to produce electricity. Extensive research indicates little or no adverse environmental effects from discharging the used OTEC water back into the ocean at prescribed depths.