Global OTEC and Makai Ocean Engineering Sign MoU for Heat Exchanger Technology

5 August 2025

Dan Grech, Founder and CEO of Global OTEC, and Richard Argall, Technical Director at Makai Ocean Engineering, during a visit to their OTEC R&D facility at NELHA – Kona, Hawaii. (Image credit: Global OTEC)

In a positive development for the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) industry, Global OTEC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Makai Ocean Engineering (Makai), under which Makai will supply its proprietary Thin Foil Heat Exchanger (TFHX) technology for integration into Global OTEC’s most recent solution, the OTEC Power Module^®. This agreement reflects growing momentum toward technology commercialization, bringing together Global OTEC’s modular and modern approach and Makai’s advanced TFHX to sustainably power the tropical area of the world.

Makai Ocean Engineering, based in Hawaii, has been a leader in OTEC research and development for over four decades, including the design, construction, and operation of one of the only two grid-connected OTEC demonstration plants in the world. This extensive experience highlighted both the technical and economic challenges of scaling OTEC systems, particularly the high capital costs driven by large, titanium heat exchangers. In response, Makai developed the TFHX to reduce system cost without sacrificing performance. The TFHX features compact geometries and corrosion-resistant materials that significantly lower the cost while maintaining high thermal efficiency, durability, and fouling resistance, making it purpose-built for the unique demands of OTEC.

“TFHX was designed to perform in demanding marine environments where reliability, compactness, and durability are key,” said Greg Rocheleau, CEO of Makai Ocean Engineering. “We’re excited about the potential for this technology to support future OTEC deployments and help advance the industry toward commercial viability.”

Using the natural temperature gradient present in the tropical area of the ocean, OTEC can produce clean baseload power 24/7, all year round. Global OTEC’s system is designed to make this process more modular and cost-effective, scaling in increments of up to 500 kW per OTEC Power Module. Achieving these goals requires compact, corrosion-resistant thermal components that balance performance with material and manufacturing costs; a key consideration in component selection.

By sourcing advanced components from long-standing leaders in OTEC and marine engineering, Global OTEC aims to accelerate the commercialization of OTEC technology on a global scale. “This agreement brings together decades of innovation in ocean thermal technology with a modern, modular vision for deployment. Our goal is to create a scalable path to offshore OTEC, and integrating proven technologies like the TFHX™ strengthens that effort,” detailed Dan Grech, Founder and CEO of Global OTEC.