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Practical global salinity gradient energy potential

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  • Alvarez-Silva, O.A.
  • Osorio, A.F.
  • Winter, C.

Abstract

Salinity gradient energy (SGE) is a clean and renewable energy source that can be harnessed from the controlled mixing of two water masses of different salt concentration. Various natural and artificial systems offer conditions under which SGE can be harnessed amongst which river mouths play the prominent role in a global assessment. The theoretical SGE potential at river mouths has been previously estimated to be 15,102TWh/a, equivalent to 74% of the worldwide electricity consumption; however, practical extractable SGE from these systems depends on several physical and environmental constraints that are discussed here. The suitability, sustainability and reliability of the exploitation of this renewable energy are considered based on quantified descriptors. It is shown that practically 625TWh/a of SGE are globally extractable from river mouths, equivalent to 3% of global electricity consumption. Although this is much smaller than the theoretical potential, is still a significant amount of clean energy.

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  • Alvarez-Silva, O.A. & Osorio, A.F. & Winter, C., 2016. "Practical global salinity gradient energy potential," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 1387-1395.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:60:y:2016:i:c:p:1387-1395
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2016.03.021
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    1. Ortega, Santiago & Stenzel, Peter & Alvarez-Silva, Oscar & Osorio, Andrés F., 2014. "Site-specific potential analysis for pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) power plants – The León River example," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 466-474.
    2. Helfer, Fernanda & Lemckert, Charles, 2015. "The power of salinity gradients: An Australian example," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 1-16.
    3. Alvarez-Silva, Oscar & Osorio, Andrés F., 2015. "Salinity gradient energy potential in Colombia considering site specific constraints," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 737-748.
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