Blue energy extracted by osmosis, also called Salinity gradient power or Osmotic Power is the energy retrieved from the difference in the salt concentration between seawater and river water. Two practical methods for this are Reverse electrodialysis (RED), and Pressure retarded osmosis (PRO).Both processes rely on osmosis with ion specific membranes. The key waste product is brackish water (water that has more salinity than fresh water, but not as much as seawater)
Blue energy is only useful in certain geographical areas. The only way to create blue energy other than in a laboratory is at an estuary, where fresh water river currents and the saline tides of the ocean meet at the river’s mouth. Though the technology of blue energy has been understood for quite sometime, manufacturing the membranes was far too expensive to become a practical energy alternative. Recently, more economical membranes have been developed which will allow blue energy technology to begin being implemented in suitable environments. Currently blue energy is being used successfully in the Netherlands.
The environmental benefits of blue energy are invaluable. Blue energy does not emit greenhouse gases, the use of blue energy where possible will help to reduce global warming and other consequences caused by burning fossil fuels. In addition, blue energy does not take up a lot of space like energy grids do, and ecosystems are not negatively affected as they are with mining and drilling for example.
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