Background

1. During the 1970s, Sidney Loeb develops membrane technology for the desalination of seawater, and also discovers the possibility of generating osmotic power. 
2. Torleif Holt and Thor Thorsen at SINTEF work on the theoretical potential of osmotic power during the 1980s. Not until 1995 do they obtain financing for a feasibility project.
3. Thorsen writes a report which is referred to in a number of research publications. Statkraft contacts Holt and Thorsen, and a collaboration project is established in 1997.
4. In 2001, osmotic power research is awarded EU funding, accelerating the pace of the research. In the same year, the first environmental study is carried out. 
5. In 2003, Statkraft is awarded its first patent for osmotic power membranes and opens a test facility at Sunndalsøra. 
6. In 2008, the world's first complete prototype osmotic power plant is constructed at Tofte in the municipality of Hurum, southwest of Oslo.
7. Statkraft has as an aim to develop an osmotic power membrane with sufficient performance to power a commercial osmotic power plant from 2015.