“Green” is common criteria when speaking of sustainable energy. The popular technologies are solar power and wind turbine but they heavily depend on the weather, which is variable. Over decades and decades, scientists keep searching for the most sustainable and eco-friendly power to develop sustainably. What if “Green” is not the only option of sustainable power?
“Blue” is the power. Blue energy sustains all seasons and the technology cost is relatively inexpensive. It is estimated to be plentiful to meet all human beings’ needs. This technology is so called “Osmotic power or Salinity gradient power.” The blue energy seems to be resourceful but the critical part is how we can find an effective way to tap it.
Let us get to know more about “Osmotic.” Imagine that there is a beaker divided by a semi-permeable membrane with two different concentrations of dissolved substance like salt. The concept is that when different concentrations exist, both sides of the water will naturally pass through the semi-permeable membrane to reach balance. This flow of water across the membrane builds up pressure on one side that can be used to drive turbines and generator power. This concept was first proposed by a British engineer, R E Pattle in 1954. Blue energy seems to be perfectly sustainable; however, the first osmotic power plant was conducted in Tofte, Norway, in 2009 by the company Statkraft, with a generating capacity of 4kW, which can be consumed to run only one home use coffee machine. Statkraft closed the plant in 2013 because it was difficult to make both ends meet.
The good news is, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) researchers have developed a system that generates electricity from osmosis with unparalleled efficiency. The related papers are posted on “Nature.” The power density of this newly-optimized osmotic way generates 1 MW/ (equals to 1 thin membrane can support 50,000 light bulbs). Even in a sufficient desert area, the power density of solar panels can barely reach 200W/ . According to one estimate, placing this new system at every estuary on the earth will generate almost 2 TW electricity (equals to 2,000 nuclear power plants) every single day.
Not only “Green” but also “Blue” energy would be our power solution. Let’s expect how mixing water can create electricity. What do you think about “Blue” energy? Would that be our energy solution?
Please refer to the video to learn more about “Blue” energy:
Source:
1.http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v536/n7615/full/nature18593.html
2.http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150610-blue-energy-how-mixing-water-can-create-electricity
3.http://actu.epfl.ch/news/electricity-generated-with-water-salt-and-a-3-atom/
4.http://www.newsweek.com/scientists-generate-electricity-salt-water-unparallel-efficiency-480049
5.http://www.popsci.com/this-power-generator-runs-on-saltwater
6.https://panx.asia/archives/53787
