Dr. Yasuyuki Ikegami
ExCo Chair, Japan Delegate
Professor and Director at the Institute of Ocean Energy, Saga University
November 20, 2024 – The Ocean Thermal Energy Association (OTEA) has announced its newly elected leadership team, reaffirming its commitment to advancing Ocean Thermal technologies, including OTEC, globally. Dr Yasuyuki Ikegami has been re-nominated as chair, while Professor Joel Sales Jr was selected as new delegate for Brazil and nominated Europe and Americas Vice Chair. Longtime secretariat member Dr. Sathiabama T. Thirugnana was nominated Asia Pacific Vice Chair. The United Kingdom also has a new delegate, the Founder and CEO of Global OTEC Dan Grech.
The newly elected leaders bring decades of combined experience in renewable energy innovation, regional policy advocacy, and OTEC-specific advancements. The new appointments emphasize the association’s dedication to diversity, inclusivity, and excellence in its mission to promote a more sustainable future through the ocean.
OTEA’s ExCo Chair commented, “As OTEA enters is fifth year, we look forward to working together to accelerate implementation of Ocean Thermal technologies to meet growing needs for renewable energy, water, and food.”
The announcement comes ahead of the 10th OTEC Symposium, happening in Rio de Janeiro on 4-5th of December. The symposium will bring together global experts, researchers, and industry leaders to discuss the latest advancements in OTEC technology. The event will also spotlight key projects, policy developments, and innovations that are driving the deployment of sustainable energy solutions worldwide.
The Selected Delegates
• Dr. Yasuyuki Ikegami, Executive Committee Chair, is a Professor and Director at the Institute of Ocean Energy, Saga University, with over three decades of expertise in OTEC. He earned his Doctor of Engineering from Kyushu University in 1991 and has held various academic roles, including a visiting professorship at Duke University;
• Dr. Sathiabama T. Thirugnana, Vice Chair Asia Pacific, is a distinguished academic and expert in renewable energy from Malaysia, specializing in OTEC. With a strong background in engineering and sustainability, she has dedicated her career to advancing innovative energy solutions across the Asia Pacific region;
• Professor Joel Sales Jr., Vice Chair Europe and Americas, is a leading expert in renewable energy from Brazil, with extensive experience in OTEC technology. As a passionate advocate for sustainable energy solutions, he has contributed to numerous projects promoting clean energy innovation across Europe and the Americas;
• Dan Grech, UK Delegate, is the Founder and CEO of Global OTEC. With a background in technology and project development and a passion for sustainable energy solutions, he has been instrumental in advancing OTEC initiatives in Europe and beyond.
The full list of the OTEA leadership members can be found at
www.ocean-thermal.org/about
About OTEA
The OTEA is a volunteer organization providing a means for collection, coordination, and dissemination of information for OTEC stakeholders. The Association is transnational, non-political, and dedicated to the realization and future growth of commercial OTEC deployment. OTEA is a community of over 590 members and observers from 53 countries and regions.