Competitive and CO2 Free Energy from Osmotic Power – Large Scale Deployment

Project Information

SaltPower

Grant agreement ID: 954045

DOI

10.3030/954045

Project closed

EC signature date 17 April 2020

Start date 1 May 2020

End date 30 April 2023

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 3 444 371,25

EU contribution

€ 2 411 059,88

Coordinated by

SALTKRAFT APS
Denmark

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SaltPower (Competitive and CO2 Free Energy from Osmotic Power – Large Scale Deployment)

Reporting period: 2021-05-01 to 2023-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Reliable predictable and non-fluctuating electricity generation will be important in the transition to a CO2 free green economy in EU. SaltPower Osmotic Power Unit (OPU) is an innovation that can produce competitive, clean and environmentally friendly energy using the natural force of osmosis: A difference in salt concentration in water streams creates a pressure gradient, which can be harnessed for power generation.

The SaltPower OPUs are delivered in modules for non-fluctuating baseload power for own consumption or the power grid.

Presently SaltPower has built a commercial approximately 100 kW modularized unit as a direct result of this EIC project. The overall objective is to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and cost of the system with the ultimate aim to lower the levelized cost of energy and to become a competitive energy technology. The commercial plant is operated at a saltproduction plant in Mariager Denmark, where it makes energy while mining salt.

Hydrogen storage in salt caverns underground is essential for storing green electricty. SaltPower Osmotic Power units can be used to generate energy while excavating salt caverns to be used hydrogen storage, thereby reducing cost and environmental impact. We are currently scaling the technology up up 1 MW modules.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

SaltPower organization has been doubling in size. An engineering department is established, that is capable of process calculations, 3D drawing and process and instrumentation diagrams. We are still in the process of hiring more staff.

Development of the technology has been continuing the last year with focus on optimizing power output and using water streams of lower quality. We have made 5 patent application and several innovations has been the outcome.

COVID 19 has made it difficult to do test and development at our existing 20 kW units due to placement at a commercial production site. Instead, we have focused on revamping a large test unit at our headquarter to be able to perform full scale optimization and operate it 24/7. This has been done to keep momentum in the technical development for the 100 kW unit during COVID 19. We have found stable long term operation of the system that has been transferred to the full scale plant.

We have secured a site for the first commercial/pre-commercial modular 100 kW unit at Nobian, Dansk Salt A/S in Mariager Denmark. We have optimized the process for this application (patent pending). Together with our membrane partner Toyobo, a new modified membrane has been optimized for this application and an optimized turbine setup will be supplied by Danfoss based on our design.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

SaltPower is focused on selling product to the Salt industry, both upstream and down-stream, where we can create the largest value for customers. This will make the salt industry generate energy, and with the patent pending solutions from SaltPower, there will be no new discharge.

SaltPower Osmotic Power Units can be used for building seasonal storage for hydrogen in salt diapers. Instead of using energy to excavate cavern for hydrogen storage, SaltPower can generate electricity with osmotic power. Therefore, SaltPower is part of the solution for industrializing and lowering cost of building an European hydrogen economy.

SaltPower Osmotic Power Unit