When freshwater meets saltwater, for example where a river flows out into the sea, enormous quantities of energy are released. This energy can be utilised to generate power through the natural phenomenon of osmosis.

1. How osmotic power works  

Statkraft is in the process of building the world’s first complete facility for osmotic power generation. A full-scale commercial osmotic power plant could be in place as early as 2015.

1. Statkraft builds a prototype

During the 1970s, Sidney Loeb develops membrane technology for the desalination of seawater, and also discovers the possibility of generating osmotic power.

1. Background