OSMOTIC POWER

Introduction
Energy Crisis Current production of India 140 GW Energy requirement by 2017 - 340 GW Estimated investment required - $600 billion Need to think beyond conventional sources
Requirement: Non conventional sources Untapped potentials Clean energy generation

Energy sources in India

SOURCE Hydro Solar Wind Biomass Geothermal Tidal Nuclear POTENTIAL Achieved

150,000 MW 20 MW/sq km 65,000 MW 20,000 MW 10,000 MW 8000-9000 MW --

36,000 MW 2.12 MW 10,891 MW 141 MW negligible 0.15 MW* 450 MW

Osmotic

69,326 MW**

untapped
* Prototype

OSMOTIC POWER
Based on principle of Osmosis

Methods of Osmotic Power Generation

There are two main practical methods of generating

Osmotic power, namely 1) Reverse Electro dialysis (RED)

In Initial stage Low efficiency and very high capital cost involved

2) Pressure Retarded Osmosis (PRO)

First Prototype Developed in Norway Much advancement has been made

REVERSE ELECTRODIALYSIS

REVERSE ELECTRODIALYSIS
It requires two types of membranes

1) selectively permeable for positive ions

2) selectively permeable for negative ions

Salt water separated from fresh water between two

such membranes will lose both positive ions and negative ions. Potential difference produced during charge separation is utilized directly as electrical energy.

PRO (PRESSURE RETARDED OSMOSIS) SYSTEM

Water from a low salinity feed solution (e.g., fresh

water) permeates through a membrane into a pressurized, high salinity brine solution (e.g., seawater). Power is obtained by depressurizing a portion of the diluted seawater through a hydro turbine. A flushing mechanism required to prevent accumulation obstructive deposits on the fresh water (low pressure) side of the membranes.

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF PRESSURE RETARDED OSMOSIS

Components
Pressure chambers
Water filters Water tanks Semi-permeable membranes Francis turbines Generators PX energy recovery device Piping systems Switch yard

Semi- permeable membrane

Most important and costly component Characteristics High water and low salt permeability Low affinity to fouling substances Material types Thin film composites (TFC) Asymmetric cellulose acetate Membranes made out of polyimide

OSMOTIC POWER PROTOTYPE: NORWAY

Fresh Water

Salt Water Brackish Water Membrane Rack

Pre-Treatment Fresh Water

Pre-Treatment Salt Water

Pressure Exchangers

Booster Pumps

Worlds First Osmotic Power Plant Prototype Tofte, Norway

Starkraft, a renewable energy giant is running the project. Plant started on November 24th, 2009. Pressure equivalent to water column of 120 meter is generated. Currently producing only 4 KW power. Planning to expand to a full- scale plant capable of producing 25 MW power.

Cost: $8 Million.

Osmotic Power in India

Potential Sites: Godavari, Narmada Delta, etc.
Sunderban Delta (Most Potential Site) with water area 1874 sq. km. and water flow rate 30,000 cubic meter per sec. Estimated Potential: Cost per unit: 60 GW Rs. 2.5 3.5 per KWh

If used to full potential, Osmotic power plant can meet the 15-18% of countrys total power requirement by 2017.

Cost Comparisons (India)

Source Cost (per unit in Rs.)

Thermal
Hydro Nuclear Solar Wind Biomass Geothermal Osmotic

1
4.25 12.9 to 17.9 15 to 30 5 to 12 9.7 2.5 to 3.5

Environmental Aspects
A renewable energy source
Mixing of sea water and fresh water is a natural process No green house gas emissions By product is brackish water not much effect on

aquatic life

Future Prospects
This technology is a bit costly over conventional sources Research is on for making cheaper membranes

Plants at other potential sites in India Godavari,

Narmada deltas etc. More units in Sunderbans Delta Global potential of around 1700 TW which is equivalent to Chinas total electricity consumption in 2002.

Conclusion
World ready to pay negotiable money for green energy Osmotic power can prove to be a boom. Economical, environmental friendly and simple. Constant power is available continuously throughout

the day, 365 day. So, potential of osmotic- a major step to solve Indias energy crises.

Thank you