Abstract
Colombia has one of the most significant potentials worldwide for harnessing Salinity Gradient energy (SGE), specifically at the Magdalena River, whose mouth at the north of Colombia has 15 GW and 0.8 GW of theoretical and technical potential, respectively [1], [2]. In previous research, we built a device that generates electricity from SG through Reverse Electrodialysis (RED) principles. We also investigated the technical and financial feasibility and the possible environmental and social impact of implementing SGE in this system.
Given this context, we are developing a project to implement the first demonstration unit (150 Watts of installed capacity) of SGE in Latin America, which will be deployed in a place of new urban development for the city of Barranquilla that will bring together tourism,sustainability, and new green technologies [3]. In this work, we present the advances in constructing the SG demonstration unit at the mouth of the Magdalena River and the conceptual design of further scaling up toward the demonstration plant. We mainly study RED technology and emphasize operating conditions and stack arrangements; in this regard, technology efficiency has an important effect on environmental impacts at large scales since low-efficiency technologies imply more considerable water extraction to meet a fixed installed capacity.