Partnership to explore energy potential of osmosis

Statkraft and Nitto Denko/Hydranautics have entered into an agreement for the development and supply of membranes for osmotic power, which uses osmosis to generate clean energy from a combination of saltwater and fresh water.

“Renewable energy sources are critical for the future and developing membrane elements for osmotic power generation aligns very well with Nitto Denko’s strategy for environmental and clean energy-related business growth,” said Yasushi Nakahira, general manager of Nitto Denko Global Membrane Division and CEO of Hydranautics.

Statkraft has been developing osmotic power for a decade and opened the world’s first prototype facility for osmotic power in 2009. Membrane is a key component in osmotic power generation and the agreement between the two companies will accelerate the development of the new renewable energy technology.

The osmotic power plant features fresh water and saltwater in two chambers separated by an artificial membrane. Through osmosis, fresh water is pulled through the membrane toward the other side, which leads to greater pressure in the saltwater chamber. That pressure differential can then be used to drive a power-generating turbine to create electricity.

According to Statkraft, osmotic power could generate between 1,600 and 1,700 terawatt-hours of energy globally … as much as all of China consumed in electricity in 2002.

Under the agreement, Nitto Denko/Hydranautics will develop membranes specifically designed for use in large-scale osmotic power plants. The development of more efficient membranes is expected to help make the technology competitive with other renewable energy sources and bring osmotic power closer to commercialization