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UCY
ENERGY is a major player in the
renewable energies market
UCY ENERGY consults
industrial players as well as investors
UCY ENERGY consults
in the hydropower market
Osmotic power or salinity gradient power is the energy retrieved from the
difference in the salt concentration between seawater and river water. Two
practical methods for this are reverse electrodialysis and pressure retarded
osmosis.
Both processes rely on osmosis with ion specific membranes. The key waste
product is brackish water. This byproduct is the result of natural forces that
are being harnessed: the flow of fresh water into seas that are made up of salt
water.
The technologies have been confirmed in laboratory conditions. They are being
developed into commercial use in the Netherlands and Norway. The cost of the
membrane has been an obstacle. A new, cheap membrane, based on an electrically
modified polyethylene plastic, made it fit for potential commercial use.
Other methods have been proposed and are currently under development. Among them,
a method based on electric double-layer capacitor technology and a method based
on vapor pressure difference.
The world's first osmotic plant with capacity of 4 kW was opened by Statkraft on
24 November 2009 in Tofte, Norway.
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