Nov 25 2009
An osmotic prototype plant, which is considered as the first of its kind in the world, is developed by Statkrat, a Norwegian company, in collaboration with R&D organizations from many other countries.
Research on osmotic power started from 1997 by Statkrat and the newly invented osmotic prototype plant will be officially inaugurated by the Crown Princess of Norway Mette-Marit, along with other foreign dignitaries. The opening of this new technical development took place on 24 November 2009.
Power from this osmotic plant is renewable with emission-free energy source. The energy obtained from the mixture of sea water and fresh water is used by this plant to generate power. The capacity of osmotic power is expected to be 1,600 to 1,700 TWh per annum.
Osmotic power plants give out less polluting emissions and less noise, and they can be installed in the basements of industrial buildings and they can be located in areas where fresh water flows into the sea. This osmotic prototype plant will be used for development and testing tasks with a very moderate production capacity.
Bard Mikkelsen, President and CEO of Statkraft and Terje Riis-Johansen commented on the innovative technology developed by Statkraft, and remarked that this new osmotic prototype plant will indeed be applied to solve challenges with reference to the climate.
Mikkelsen expressed his hope and confidence that this new osmotic pant will turn out to be a success in the future, with its simple procedure of generating electricity by mixing water. Terje Riis-Johansen further remarked that Statkrat has proved itself to be in the lead position in developing new technologies by being the first Norwegian company to have developed an osmotic prototype plant.
Rasmus Hansson, CEO of WWF Norway stated that this new technology will receive continuous support from WWF Norway, and in order to spread the application of this new development in a secured way.