DHZ Solutions AS has made an agreement with research partners in Norway and the UAE to be involved in the feasibility study phase of a great renewable energy research project.

The project is basically focused on the expansion of renewable energy production potentials _ especially solar energy systems_ in the Persian Gulf region.

An important direct outcome of the project will be a systematic study on the air pollution in a certain area with regards to the presence/absence of renewable energy sources and their fossil fuel counterparts. Planning for the first work-package, the meteorological studies and year-long simulations are to trigger shortly.

DHZ solutions AS has already organized an expert team with wide-range skill, experience, and ability in the proposed research plan for the head office in Trondheim, Norway. The process of supplying the on-site office with the required expertise, hardware and software requirements has approximately completed to be finalized by the end of May 2013.

There will be job opportunities in Dubai to be announced soon through our official webpage. Enthusiastic job-seekers are advised to check the Vacant Positions page regularly.

IDE Technologies has entered into an agreement with renewable energy company Statkraft to develop a 2 mega-watt Osmotic Power Generation pilot plant in Sunndalsøra, Norway.

Osmotic Energy is a method for producing energy from the mix of fresh water and seawater. Estimates suggest osmotic power alone has a global potential of 1600 to 1700 TWh – the same as China’s total electricity consumption in 2002.
The process works whereby fresh water and salt water are separated, divided by an artificial membrane. Salt molecules in the seawater pull freshwater through the membrane. This increases pressure on the seawater side, which can be used in a power generating turbine.

Under the agreement, IDE will design and later purchase and construct the pilot plant, which will be based on existing technology used in desalination and other industries.
Membranes for the facility are likely to be sourced from supplier Nitto Denko/Hydranautics, after Statkraft signed an agreement back in June 2011.
As part of this new agreement, IDE will design the energy recovery system and the fresh water and seawater pre-treatment.

On the Sunndalsøra development, Statkraft said freshwater for the pilot facility can be collected from the outlet tunnel from the Aura power plant, while seawater can be pumped from a depth of 40 metres further out in the fjord.
Statkraft opened its osmotic power prototype facility in Tofte, Norway, which has been operating since 2009. The facility is also used for testing components, processes and membranes.
Dr. Boris Liberman, VP & CTO Membrane Technology of IDE, said the company has been researching Osmotic Energy production for some time now. He believes this process can result in driving costs down while increasing net energy output.

[Ref.] http://www.waterworld.com/articles/2013/02/osmotic-power-pilot-plant-to-generate-2mw-in-norway.html