| 1881 | D’Arsonval proposed an OTEC concept. |
| 1926 | G. Claude carried out the first experiment for practical use of OTEC system. |
| 1933 | Claude’s 1200 kW OTE.C ship was constructed. |
| 1964 | J.H. Anderson proposed a submerged OTEC plant. |
| 1979 | Lockheed Missiles, Space Inc., and Hawaii launched the mini-OTEC. (50kW) |
| 1980 | OTEC 1 of the US Department of Energy was deployed. |
| 1981 | Tokyo Electric Power Services and Tokyo Electric Power Company successfully generated electricity at the 1200kW plant in Nauru. |
| 1981 | Kyushu Electric Power Company constructed Tokunoshima plant. (50kW) |
| 1985 | Saga University began operating an experimental plant. (75kW) |
| 2003 | Institute of Ocean Energy Saga University was founded. |