Osmotic power

Statkraft is the worlds leader in the development of osmotic power. Osmotic power is clean, renewable energy, with a global potential of 1 600 to 1 700 TWh equal to Chinas total electricity consumption in 2002. On Tuesday, 24 November, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway opened the worlds first osmotic power plant at Tofte, outside Oslo. The prototype that opened at Tofte on 24 November has been in development for more than a year. The plant will have a limited production capacity and is intended primarily for testing and development purposes. The aim is to be capable of constructing a commercial osmotic power plant within a few years time. In an era of major climate change and an increasing need for clean energy, we are proud to be presenting a renewable energy source which has never been harnessed until now, says Statkraft CEO, Brd Mikkelsen. The energy is based on the natural phenomenon osmosis, defined as being the transport of water through a semipermeable membrane. This is how plants can absorb moisture through their leaves and retain it. When fresh water meets salt water, for instance where a river runs into the sea, enormous amounts of energy are released. This energy can be utilized for the generation of power through osmosis. At the osmotic power plant, fresh water and salt water are guided into separate chambers, divided by an artificial membrane. The salt molecules in the sea water pulls the freshwater through the membrane, increasing the pressure on the sea water side. The pressure equals a 120 metre water column, or a significant waterfall, and be utilized in a power generating turbine

The membranes are coiled up inside pressure vessels

freshwater filtration
Pre-treatment of the freshwater to remove humus and other particles that may clog the membrane.

seawater filtration
Pre-treatment of the seawater to remove humus and other particles that may clog the membrane.

membrane roll
The membranes are made from polymers.

membranes 2
The membranes are coiled up inside pressure vessels.

pressure exchanger
Pressure exchangers recycle the water pressure

turbine 2
The pressure created from the membranes is utilised through a turbine to generate electricity

Extended seawater filtration

Temporary pre-treatment to remove humus and other particles that may clog the membrane.

through window
Membrane racks

turbine 1
The pressure created from the membranes is utilised through a turbine to generate electricity.

membranes 1
The membranes are coiled up inside pressure vessels

Osmotic power membrane illustration

The membrane is the heart of the osmotic power concept

prototype illustration
This illustration shows how the components are linked together inside the osmotic power prototype

Stein Erik Skilhagen

Head of osmotic power, Statkraft, Stein Erik Skilhagen