BARCARIN OSMOTIC DEMONSTRATOR PROJECT
The aim of the demonstration project, led by Sweetch Energy and the Compagnie Nationale du Rhône at the Barcarin lock in Port Saint Louis du Rhône, is to produce electricity (50kW) from the osmotic energy produced by the generators developed by Sweetch Energy.
At the mouth, freshwater and saltwater are directed towards generators equipped with membranes. Thanks to osmosis, an ionic transfer takes place, generating an electric current used by the lock's installations.
The project aims to study the scaling-up of this technology, with the development of bio-sourced membranes in order to validate its industrialisation.