Back to Search
Start Over
Coupling Hydrodynamic and Energy Production Models for Salinity Gradient Energy Assessment in a Salt-Wedge Estuary (Strymon River, Northern Greece).
- Source :
- Energies (19961073); May2022, Vol. 15 Issue 9, pN.PAG-N.PAG, 24p
- Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- Salinity gradient energy (SGE) plants generate power from the mixing of salt water and fresh water using advanced membrane systems. In the Strymon River, under low-flow conditions, a salt wedge is formed, developing a two-layer stratified system, which could be used to extract SGE. In this paper, a novel study was implemented by coupling a 3D hydrodynamic model simulating the salt wedge flow, with the SGE model which assesses the net energy produced by a 1 MW SGE plant. Two scenarios were followed: (a) the optimal scenario, operating throughout the year by mixing salt water from the sea (38.1 g/L) and fresh water (0.1 g/L) from the river to produce 4.15 GWh/yr, and (b) the seasonal scenario, utilizing the salinity difference of the salt wedge. Results show that the daily net SGE production varies between 0.30 and 10.90 MWh/day, in accordance with the salinity difference (ΔS<subscript>sw</subscript> ~15–30 g/L). Additionally, a retrospective assessment (from 1981 to 2010) of the annual and seasonal net energy production was conducted. This analysis illustrates that the salt-wedge formation (spring to late summer) coincides with the period of increased regional electricity demand. In the future, the emerging SGE could serve as a decentralized renewable energy source, enhancing energy security in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19961073
- Volume :
- 15
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Energies (19961073)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 156848249
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3390/en15092970