Water Will Be the Coal of the Future, French Science Fiction Writer Jules Verne Predicted in 1874. Over 100 Years Later, Dutch and Norwegian Scientists Believe They Can Make Verne’s Dream a Reality.
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Device for generating electricity by mixing fresh and saltwater developed by the Netherlands |
In collaboration with Statkraft, the Dutch Sustainable Water Technology Center (Vetsus), and an independent research organization from Norway, devices have been invented that generate electrical energy by mixing seawater with river water.
The device operates on a natural process: when river water flows into the ocean, a significant amount of energy is released due to the difference in salt concentration in the water.
This device captures that energy, enabling humanity to obtain fuel in a sustainable manner without emitting greenhouse gases. Philippe Schild from the European Commission stated, ”There is great potential for this new method of electricity generation in Europe. It could help us increase the proportion of renewable energy in the energy mix”.
The two aforementioned projects utilize different methods to produce electricity: electrodialysis (Netherlands) and osmosis (Norway). However, both methods use thin membranes made from special materials. The Netherlands has yet to build a pilot plant, while Norway has installed two small-scale plants.
The operating principle of the device developed by Norway involves freshwater and surface water being directed into a chamber containing a thin membrane. Freshwater is transported through the membrane and then mixed with pressurized seawater. The resulting mixture of pressurized seawater and freshwater flows out of the chamber to a turbine that generates electricity. Such power plants can be constructed in areas where freshwater and saltwater meet.
The main obstacle for this technology is that the cost of electricity generated is significantly higher than that from wind or solar energy. Scientists believe it will take at least another five years to create cheaper membranes, test them, and bring the project to reality. At that time, this technology could compete with other forms of renewable energy.
Some people are skeptical about this new technique. However, according to Frank Neumann from the International Energy Agency’s Ocean Energy Program, when the first wind turbine was installed in Germany in 1985, many in the energy sector laughed at it. That project failed and lost millions of dollars. Now, wind energy is developing rapidly.
Minh Sơn
