Conclusion:

Both solar pond production and OTEC technology are expensive and they are not currently commercially viable. As the world’s oil supplies diminish and the cost of transporting fuel to the outback becomes too high, more and more small communities may turn to solar pond technology for their power supplies. If costs can be reduced, and reliable methods can be found to keep the salt layers apart, then solar ponds may become a standard method of power production for small, isolated communities.

Today, scientists are investigating new, cost-effective turbines for open-cycle OTEC systems. However, OTEC development is still in the experimental research and development stages. Western Australian energy companies are keeping up with the developments in solar ponds and OTEC technology throughout the world. For all the earth’s purposes, the sun is the ultimate source of renewable energy.