Water holds the key to green energy for the Netherlands

Scientists in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, are revisiting the concept of using reverse electrodialysis - a process previously used to obtain clean drinking water from salt water - to generate eco-friendly energy.

The process of reverse electrodialysis produces electricity whilst filtering out positive and negative ions from seawater, in order to make it drinkable. However, only now has research been properly undertaken to explore the possibilities of generating larger quantities of power from the process. Joost Veerman, head of the Wetsus research team, explains that the positive (sodium) and negative (chloride) ions in the seawater are passed through two membranes, one of which will only let positive ions through and one that will allow only negative ions through. The resultant electric current generates power.

The process works because both saltwater and freshwater are passing each other: which is why the applications for reverse electrodialysis in Rotterdam, where fresh water from the river meets the saline water of the North Sea. Consequently, the port would be a perfect site for hydroelectric power units, which could produce one megawatt of energy, per cubic metre of water, per second. If units were built along a one-and-a-half kilometre stretch of the river, around two hundred megawatts of power could be produced per second – producing enough energy annually to cover a third of the Netherlands’ yearly power consumption.

(Source: Euronews)

For more information on the research, contact info@wetsus.nl

Published: Friday, 18th December 2009 by Tom Freeman

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