Oslo - Oil and gas rich Norway on Tuesday inaugurated a prototype power plant to produce energy based on the principle of osmosis. "This new technology generates electricity simply by mixing water, said Bard Mikkelsen, the chief executive of Statkraft, the group operating the new plant.
"New solutions to meet the climate challenges might be closer than we expect, which makes me confident that the future looks bright," he added.
Using a small river as source for fresh water used in the osmotic process, the plant involves the use of a membrane to separate sea water and fresh water.
Water with a low level of salt will flow through the membrane to the side with the higher salt concentration, creating pressure that can then be used to drive a turbine to generate power.
The prototype plant, opened by Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit Statkraft in the town of Tofte, south of the capital Oslo, is to be followed in a few years by a commercial plant, Statkraft hopes.
The energy group has conducted 10 years of research into the technology, which it says will be emission-free and renewable. Funding was also provided by the Research Council of Norway.
The technology was seen as suitable for areas with good access to freshwater and saltwater, including Scandinavia, Russia and Canada as well as parts of South America and Africa.
Norwegian environmental groups including WWF Norway have welcomed the plans.
