WAVEC

OTEC leverages ocean temperature gradients to generate renewable energy. As part of the PLOTEC consortium, WavEC Offshore Renewables partnered with Island Innovation to gather insights from 33 experts across 17 islands. Their input, along with policy analysis, informed a 40-page brief outlining challenges, solutions, and recommendations for OTEC implementation.
Ocean Thermal Energy

Case Studies

What is Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)?

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is an ocean-based renewable energy source that uses the natural temperature difference between the surface and the depths of the marine environment to produce electricity. An emerging technology that has been tested in various settings, OTEC is best suited for tropical climates where the temperature gradient within the ocean is larger. As such, OTEC is increasingly being viewed as an alternative energy source for island communities who can use their vast marine resources to produce sustainable, green energy capable of reducing their reliance on fossil fuels.

The Client:
WavEC Offshore Renewables

WavEC Offshore Renewables is part of PLOTEC, a pan-European consortium which is designing an OTEC platform capable of withstanding the extreme weather effects found in tropical areas, making it a more resilient and reliable energy source for users. Keen to leverage local knowledge and understand the challenges and solutions that island experts and stakeholders might have related to OTEC deployment, WavEC identified Island Innovation and its network as key entities to engage with. 

Stakeholder Interviews and Policy Brief

Island Innovation was tasked with creating a policy brief to support WavEC and the wider PLOTEC network’s decision-making when it comes to engaging with and island stakeholders. 

 

The policy brief itself would be based on the interviews of 33 inter-disciplinary experts from tropical island territories in the Caribbean, AIMS, and Pacific in which OTEC could be deployed. Sourced from Island Innovation’s network, these experts represented 17 islands and a  range of sectors and industries that would be affected by or interact with a local OTEC project. 

These qualitative interviews yielded valuable data and insights which were translated into recommendations and policy considerations specific to the development of an OTEC project within an island community.

 

Supporting the interviews were reviews of island-based energy developments, as well as the analysis of gray and white papers, culminating in a 40-page policy brief which provided a comprehensive overview of potential challenges and solutions OTEC could face and how best to approach them.

Awareness Raising

In addition to the policy brief, Island Innovation was tasked with raising awareness of OTEC among island stakeholders. The awareness campaign was centered around Island Innovation’s 2024 Virtual Island Summit (VIS), an annual online week-long conference boasting high-level experts from islands which draws roughly 10,000 attendees. Island Innovation’s social media platforms and newsletter were leveraged to raise awareness of OTEC, with several dedicated posts and inserts made highlighting the technology and PLOTEC’s involvement in the 2024 VIS, where the organization was provided with a panel slot to highlight and discuss the technology and its merits to the VIS audience. Over 500 people attended the live session.

Interested in other related case studies?

Case Studies

Check out our case studies to learn how we can drive positive results for you too.

Clients in a range of industries within the sustainability ecosystem trust Island Innovation to help them gain visibility, connect with their audiences and generate new business opportunities.

Our Services

Island Innovation

Sustainable economic development consultancy for islands

Island Innovation Services

Sustainable solutions for thriving island economies

We specialize in advancing sustainable economic development strategies tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of island regions worldwide. Our consultancy services help governments, organizations, and communities balance economic growth with environmental resilience and social well-being. Through our extensive island-focused network, strategic partnerships, and innovative approaches, we deliver targeted solutions.

We design and deliver transformative learning experiences that build local capabilities, and unlock economic opportunities through skill development and network building. Our approach emphasizes practical, participatory methodologies that empower stakeholders to drive their own development.
Key Services:
  • Interactive workshop design and facilitation
  • Customized training programs and knowledge transfer initiatives
  • Innovation laboratories and accelerators
  • Stakeholder catalyst events and co-creation sessions
Our consulting services help islands balance economic growth with environmental and climate needs. We support clients from strategy development through implementation, ensuring practical and sustainable outcomes for island communities.
Key Services:
  • Sustainable economic development strategy formulation
  • Access to funding opportunities and grant applications
  • Impact investment opportunity identification and analysis
  • Project implementation support and management
  • Environmental and social impact evaluation
We develop and execute comprehensive communication strategies that amplify impact and engage stakeholders. Our approach combines traditional and digital channels to reach diverse audiences effectively, highlighting economic potential and investment opportunities to drive regional prosperity.
Key Services:
  • Communication strategy development
  • Content creation and dissemination
  • Digital platform management
  • Strategic framework development
  • Stakeholder engagement campaigns
  • PR & media relations
We facilitate productive relationships between stakeholders and help navigate complex policy landscapes. Our work supports effective dialogue and collaboration between public and private sectors, including applications to government tenders through consortia.
Key Services:
  • Institutional relationship building
  • Public-private partnership facilitation
  • Media relations management
  • Strategic event planning
  • Government relations support
Working closely with our academic partners, we provide evidence-based insights and recommendations to inform decision-making and policy development for island regions.
Key Services:
  • Diagnostic needs assessments and feasibility studies
  • Baseline evaluations and performance analytics
  • Dashboard development and stakeholder mapping
  • Research synthesis and reporting
  • Evidence-based policy recommendations
We transform gatherings into catalysts for sustainable development through collaboration and inspiration. With extensive expertise in producing, managing, and promoting diverse event formats—including in-person, virtual, and hybrid events—we create memorable experiences that convene key stakeholders.
Key Services:
  • Strategic event design and concept development
  • In-person, virtual, and hybrid event production
  • Speaker and participant curation
  • Stakeholder engagement and audience building
  • Event facilitation and moderation
  • Post-event reporting and impact assessment
  • Event promotion and media coverage coordination

We are a strategic consultancy which offers unique insights into sustainable development for islands

We are pioneers in unlocking the potential of islands worldwide, by offering insights and expertise in sustainable development. Our approach considers the interplay between environmental preservation, economic growth, and social empowerment, tailored specifically for the challenges and opportunities presented by island ecosystems.

We are commited to help:

Platform

Discover the power of our network

We deliver value to our clients through our expertise, experience and unique international perspectives. We can help you and your projects reach a new audience, by helping you to connect with our growing and engaged network. 

Event Registrations
0 +
Hours of Video Watched
0 +
Islands Represented
0 +
Media Reports Published
0 +
Ambassadors
0 +
Island Governments
0 +
NGOs and Community Groups
0 +
Academic Partners
0 +

Ready to take the next step?

Talk to our team!

Wondering if Island Innovation is the right agency for your business? Chat with our team to see if there’s a fit!

Island Innovation offers a range of consultancy services, including island development strategies, impact program design and coordination, event organization, strategic communications, public and media relations, and government affairs.

Thank you for subscribing!
Live from COP28 - Island of Hope
The Island Innovation Agency Newsletter is a must-read for sustainable business leaders! It delivers a free monthly dose of relevant and valuable business insights, expert advice, downloadable resources, and easy-to-implement ideas for professionals aiming to optimize their results in communication, branding, and networking. By signing up, you will benefit from curated insights for your sustainable brand, exclusive offers, ready-to-use templates and industry news.
Our newsletter on island sustainability is perfect for everyone interested in sustainable development, innovation, and island territories! Every week we compile stories from islands worldwide and highlight commonalities, demonstrating the spectrum of innovation from technology to the arts. Our newsletter brings together globally disparate places and strikes a balance of acknowledging and dealing with critical problems while emphasizing the resourcefulness of isolated communities.