http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 25th 2009 2:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 25th 2009 2:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/
Sure, it works, but if you're going to destroy (or consume at least) your fresh water supply for a small power gain, there have to be better ways.]]>Nov 26th 2009 5:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/
I meant the states lack of proactively supporting alternative sources of energy for its large energy needs. ]]>Nov 26th 2009 5:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 25th 2009 2:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/
That's why it isn't currently powering everything for free.]]>Nov 25th 2009 2:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/
So its wrong to burn coal and cause CO2 buildup... but its okay to lay MILES of rubber tubing off the coat and disrupt the entire ecosystem of coral reefs and other off shore wildlife? man you tree huggers cant get anything right.

The best way to produce electricity is by Nuclear power plants with disposal done on-site. Drill a hole into the ground 3000 meters deep and drop the nuclear waste down. wam bam no one is hurt and YOU get to keep using the internet without drowning San Fransisco (to bad though)]]>Nov 25th 2009 3:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 25th 2009 4:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/
And Norway is 100% powered by hydroenergy! We don't need this technology for our needs - just for other countries...

That is why we export all of our oil and gas to the world!]]>Nov 25th 2009 6:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 25th 2009 2:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Might be waste or brackish waters.. Or they simply have too much fresh water, but it wouldnt make sense to ship it where it is needed energywise :)]]>Nov 25th 2009 2:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/
Welcome to liberal logic]]>Nov 25th 2009 2:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 25th 2009 2:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 25th 2009 2:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/I was thinking the same thing. Water is an even more valuable resource, and it too is not renewable.]]>Nov 25th 2009 2:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/It's designed to be located at a river estuary or a coastal fjord where you have easy access to both freshwater and seawater.]]>Nov 25th 2009 2:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 25th 2009 2:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/
on another note, fresh water can come from many natural resources(i.e rain, river, lake, melting snow, etc.).Its abundant and you can get it 'out of the box'. Clean water for domestic use is a totally different thing(This is the one that uses up tremendous amount of energy).

]]>Nov 25th 2009 3:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/
So, by your logic, nothing is renewable.]]>Nov 25th 2009 3:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 25th 2009 5:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 26th 2009 3:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 25th 2009 2:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/
Are offering to host a new fission reactor in your town? Or you just another NIMBY mouthpiece?]]>Nov 25th 2009 3:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/
Frankly i would replace every single coal fired power station in the country with a nuclear one, and theres one near my town.]]>Nov 25th 2009 4:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 25th 2009 2:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 26th 2009 6:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 26th 2009 6:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 25th 2009 2:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 26th 2009 6:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 25th 2009 2:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/
It's a prototype, a proof of concept. It's in the kilowatt range. If everything works out, they'll be building megawatt plants in a few years.

You'd think that on a tech-site people would understand the concept of "testing".]]>Nov 25th 2009 4:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 25th 2009 6:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 29th 2009 1:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 25th 2009 2:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 25th 2009 2:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 25th 2009 2:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/But then there's this: I just came back from being way out of town and Way Out of the Loop to find the lovely understated Engadget gone and this monstrosity of busy-ness, fussiness, and strange "script" errors in it's place. What happened?]]>Nov 25th 2009 2:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 25th 2009 3:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 25th 2009 2:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 25th 2009 3:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/
This thing requires more power to convey water into its own thanks than the amount of power it generates and as a plus it salinates water in the process.

Seriously what is the benefit?]]>Nov 25th 2009 3:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Liquid likes to be at the same density as the liquid around it. That's why if you mix fresh water and salt water together, you get a big cup of not-as-salty water.

This works on the same principle--the salty side wants to be less salty to match the fresh water side, so fresh water fill flow into there. The energy from the flow will be caught by turbine to produce power.

FAQ: It's the same mechanics that makes your finger looks like an old prune when you swim for a long time. Your cells absorbs water from the outside to try to dilute its content down to the same level as the water outside, causing it to swell and expand.]]>Nov 25th 2009 10:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/
I'll digest it for you. How much is it going to cost (energy wise), to convey the water into the power plant?
]]>Nov 25th 2009 10:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/
It will cost nothing if the power plant is at the river delta (where river flows into the ocean). ]]>Nov 26th 2009 1:25AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/
That doesn't mean it stopped raining here, so finding a different way to take advantage of the over-abundance of fresh water seems like a brilliant idea to me.]]>Nov 25th 2009 4:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/
I don't really understand why this was downranked...?]]>Nov 25th 2009 5:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 25th 2009 4:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/
Also, more than 95% of Norwegian electricity comes from hydroelectric power where the potential energy is used to generate electricity. But, where you do not have any potential energy in the water this could be a great way to make use of "chemical" energy. It's a niche, but still a very environmentally friendly niche.]]>Nov 25th 2009 4:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/
In the end, I think fresh water source is not a problem. All you need is water of different density/salinity/etc. You could use sea water and coke for all anyone cares, and it will still do the trick. You could even pass salt water through minor filtering, and that might already provide enough concentration gradient to be used as fresh water.]]>Nov 25th 2009 10:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/norways-statkraft-kick-starts-worlds-first-osmotic-power-plant/Nov 25th 2009 4:35PM