Capacitive Blue Energy for Green Electricity Production

Motivation
The emission of greenhouse gases became a global concern in recent times. Innovation through scientific discovery is required to achieve a truly sustainable society. To really implement green practices, we must produce energy cleaner and more efficient in all steps: extraction, storage, distribution and use. A frequent overlooked and neglected renewable clean energy is the salinity gradient power (also named Blue Energy). The production of electricity with this method is obtained from the mixing of two water streams with different salt concentrations, e.g. where rivers flow into the sea.

Principle

The principle of the modified supercapacitor flow cell (MSFC) is based on flowing salt water through a sandwich of carbon electrodes covered with ion exchange membranes. The concentration gradient yields movement of sodium and chloride ions into the electrodes, charging this way the cell and generating an external current. Afterwards, fresh water flows into the system and the reverse process occurs. The electrodes are discharged and a reverse current is generated.

Technological Challenge

The progress of the technology involves the development of materials suitable for this application, to enhance the system performance in terms of power density and energy yield.

CV researcher: Bruno Bastos Sales

Graduated: Ceara Federal University (Bsc Physics) Pernambuco, Federal University (Msc) - Brazil

email: bruno.bastossales@wur.nl

tel: 058-2843191