TU Delft - OTEC

Notes from our reviewers

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• Teaching Tips
  This video would fit into a unit on energy systems or renewable energy technology but teachers may want to fill in some background information on the basics of energy generation and temperature differentials. Possible questions to assess understanding might involve asking why temperature gradients are important for generating energy, where other temperature gradients might exist, why the ocean is a good place for this thermal energy conversion, what causes the ocean's temperature gradient, what sorts of challenges might exist for developing this technology, or what the pros and cons of the energy technology are. Visit this link to additional information for this renewable energy resource to learn more about how it works, and how to use the video in instruction: [link https://www.tudelft.nl/oceanenergy/research/thermal-gradient-otec]
• About the Science
  This video provides a clear, quick overview of ocean thermal energy conversion. There is discussion of related topics such as other energy sources, how OTEC might fit into a renewable energy portfolio, drawbacks to the technology, etc. Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.
• About the Pedagogy
  This video was not likely created for classroom use, but it can be used with support from the teacher. The embedded animations will support students' abstract thinking needed to conceptualize the OTEC process. Students may need prerequisite knowledge to understand some of the technical engineering terms used in the video.
• Technical Details/Ease of Use
  The link provided for additional information goes to a 404 error page, but a few jumps from that page goes to the website for this project and the research behind it. The instructor will need to review the video ahead of time to assess when and how to use the content.