Nitto Denko to Co-Develop Novel Renewable Energy Powered by Osmosis

Nitto Denko Corporation, a leading Japanese manufacturer of diversified materials related to packaging, semiconductors, and optical films, and its wholly-owned subsidiary in the U.S., Hydranautics, announced on June 20, 2011, that they have entered into an agreement with Statkraft to jointly develop technology for putting osmotic power to practical use. Statkraft, a European leader in renewable energy in Norway, has been developing osmotic power for a decade and opened the world's first prototype facility for osmotic power generation in 2009.

Osmotic power generation, a new approach to electricity generation, takes advantage of the osmotic energy that arises between two solutions with different salt concentrations divided by a semipermeable membrane. Pressure on the seawater side increased by the movement (osmosis) of fresh water through a dividing membrane rotates a turbine, generating electricity. The main features of the system are as follows: no emissions of harmful substances and carbon dioxide; a stable power supply irrespective of weather, sunshine hours, or time of day; and no need for a large installation space.

Aiming to bring osmotic power closer to commercialization, Nikko Denko is joining efforts to develop highly efficient membranes specifically designed for use in large-scale osmotic power plants.

Posted: 2011/10/2906:00:15 AM