Energy Transitions Podcast: Driving sustainability in the tropics with Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

The Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe recently signed a partnership agreement with UK-based Global OTEC for the deployment of a commercial Floating Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Platform. We explore this project in more detail, and unpack how this cutting edge technology holds a key to decarbonising small island nations.

Host:
Pamela Largue, Staff Writer, Power Engineering International

Speakers:
Dr Tessa Gordelier, Business Research Fellow, Renewable Energy Research Group, University of Exeter
Dan Grech, Founder & CEO, Global OTEC

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Speaker Bios:

Dr Tessa Gordelier, Business Research Fellow, Renewable Energy Research Group, University of Exeter

Tessa Gordelier is a research engineer working in the offshore marine renewables sector. She specialises in innovation engineering for mooring systems and condition monitoring of mooring systems. This includes expertise in reliability analysis, numerical modelling and detailed physical test campaigns at a component and system level in order to support novel product development. She currently works on the ERDF funded Marine-i project, collaborating with SMEs to support innovation in the offshore sector. Tessa is a Chartered Engineer, Chartered Energy Engineer and holds a doctorate in Renewable Energy.

Dan Grech, Founder & CEO, Global OTEC

In 2015, Dan worked as a marketing manager for a well-known luxury fashion company. One evening, watching a rerun of Frozen Planet, Dan had a cliché epiphany moment that prompted him to leave his job immediately and join the global efforts in reversing the climate crisis. Dan started Global OTEC in 2017 and used his experience in building teams with exceptional people and setting big visions to launch the company. Dan recruited the founding team and has been the main driver of business development and partnerships.