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River mouths, where water flows into the sea, can release a significant amount of energy |
When rivers flow into the sea, a large amount of energy is released due to the salinity difference between the two types of water. Scientists are harnessing this energy to generate electricity.
The Wetsus Research Center (Netherlands), SINTEF Research Institute, Statkraft, and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim are experimenting with a technological process that allows the mixing of river water with seawater through a special permeable membrane, utilizing that energy to rotate turbines for electricity production.
Initial testing results are very promising; however, the significant challenge now is to further enhance the energy release capabilities through the permeable membrane during the contact between freshwater and saltwater, while also drastically reducing the production costs of this high-tech filtering membrane. The research team hopes to finalize the technological process and implement it between 2010 and 2015.
