patriotsblade
10-03-2007, 06:04 AM
http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article2027794.ece
State energy producer Statkraft has decided to build the world's first osmotic power plant prototype in Hurum in Norway's Buskerud County.
Osmotic power is a pure renewable energy source and according to calculations the technology can contribute about 1,600 terawatt hours a year on a global basis.
According to Statkraft, their PRO (pressure retarded osmosis) power plant generates power in a process "similar to a reverse osmosis desalination plant running backwards".
The plant uses seawater and fresh water separated by a membrane. The fresh water creates pressure as it enters the seawater via the membrane and this pressure is converted to energy.
"We take the task of providing pure energy seriously, and osmotic power is a very promising technology in which we are global leaders. It is clean and emission-free, and could become competitive within a few years," said Statkraft CEO Bård Mikkelsen.
The prototype will be built at the facility of paper pulp producer Södra Cell Tofte.
Norway is the 3rd largest oil exporter in the world . There are believed to be many more yet to be discovered oil and natural gas fields in the North Sea. It does not seem to be in Norway's financial interest to start development and testing of alternative energy sources but it's being done anyway because the government and people here 'get it'. It's just one of reasons I am so proud to call this little nation my second homeland.
State energy producer Statkraft has decided to build the world's first osmotic power plant prototype in Hurum in Norway's Buskerud County.
Osmotic power is a pure renewable energy source and according to calculations the technology can contribute about 1,600 terawatt hours a year on a global basis.
According to Statkraft, their PRO (pressure retarded osmosis) power plant generates power in a process "similar to a reverse osmosis desalination plant running backwards".
The plant uses seawater and fresh water separated by a membrane. The fresh water creates pressure as it enters the seawater via the membrane and this pressure is converted to energy.
"We take the task of providing pure energy seriously, and osmotic power is a very promising technology in which we are global leaders. It is clean and emission-free, and could become competitive within a few years," said Statkraft CEO Bård Mikkelsen.
The prototype will be built at the facility of paper pulp producer Södra Cell Tofte.
Norway is the 3rd largest oil exporter in the world . There are believed to be many more yet to be discovered oil and natural gas fields in the North Sea. It does not seem to be in Norway's financial interest to start development and testing of alternative energy sources but it's being done anyway because the government and people here 'get it'. It's just one of reasons I am so proud to call this little nation my second homeland.