Blue Energy + RED (Reverse Electro Dialysis) = The Green City of Hyperion The Problem in Hyperion Hyperion, located on the Achelous River in Western Greece (population 65,123), revolutionized energy production/transmission worldwide. In 2011, Greece was dependent on coal for 70% of its energy production. The remainder of its power demand was supplied by oil, natural gas, and limited wind- and hydropower. It was estimated that Greece s coal supply would only last 70 years. Besides limited long-term coal supplies and dependency on imported fuel, emissions from burning fossil fuels caused pollution and health problems. A significant amount of energy was lost due to ineffective infrastructure such as aging AC overhead power lines and inefficient transformers. Greece needed a reliable, sustainable power supply for the future. Hyperion Needed an Alternative Energy Source Hyperion s Engineering Team focused on creating an alternative, renewable and efficient energy source for power generation. Hyper-Ion Power, Inc. was created. They developed a form of salinity-gradient energy (energy available from the difference in salt concentration between seawater and river water) called Blue Energy. They used reverse electrodialysis (RED). Electrical power is generated by RED in a membrane process where freshwater rivers flow into the saltwater of the sea. The team focused on generating power that: Eliminates the need to deplete natural resources Offsets dependence on fossil fuels Minimally impacts the environment Provides economic benefits such as jobs and trade opportunities Creates energy independence How Does the Process Work? The RED process for generating electricity is similar to the electro-chemical design of a car battery except RED uses stacks of graphene membranes instead of plates. Two types of membranes are used for ions to pass through: one for sodium ions, the other for chloride ions. Both sodium and chloride ions are abundant in saltwater. Ions move through the selective membranes because of the salinity gradient created as fresh and saltwater flow past each other. Both types of water are kept separate within the membrane stacks. Ions naturally separate and collect on one of two electrodes (cathode for positive, anode for negative), producing an electrical charge. The voltage is increased
by utilizing many alternately stacked membranes. The primary waste product resulting from RED is brackish water (diluted saltwater). To clean membranes, environmentally safe solutions and ultrasonic waves are used to avoid harmful pollution. Power Generation The power generation plant includes fresh and saltwater pump stations, numerous membrane stacks, membrane cleaning systems, and electrical storage/transmission equipment. Direct current (DC) power is generated by RED membrane stacks. Multiple membrane stacks are assembled into modular skids. The skids are arranged in series to increase voltage to a high level for efficient power transmission to remote distribution/collection sites, called hubs, located around Hyperion. The skids are also arranged in parallel to increase power generation capacity and reliability. Electricity is transmitted efficiently across Hyperion using underground superconductor transmission lines. At hubs, storage cells are charged and power is distributed to residential customers at low voltage and to industrial/commercial customers at high voltage. Hubs also serve to collect power generated at remotely-located wind turbines and solar fields. Hubs contain storage cells to store excess energy for use when demands are high. Hyper-Ion Power generation, distribution, and storage meets the energy needs of all sectors. Energy independence is enhanced with wind turbines, solar panels, and storage cells in Hyperion s residential and commercial properties. Hyper-Ion Power is located near an estuary minimizing the distance from fresh and saltwater sources. The plant is a low-profile building, designed to blend with its surroundings.
Power Distribution and Storage Solar P anels W in d Turbines H ub H om es C om m ercial P ow er P lant H ub What is the Impact on Natural Resources and the Environment? Assuming water resources are wisely managed, freshwater and seawater can be harvested for generations. RED is like the planet s natural water cycle including evaporation, condensation, and precipitation where saltwater is recycled into freshwater. There is very little impact on the planet s natural resources. Though RED is a renewable process, it produces a stream of brackish water resulting in higher salinity in the area where it is discharged. Marine biologists and chemical engineers will monitor salinity levels to ensure minimal impact on surrounding ecosystems. RED has low environmental impact. Risks and Benefits Other than safety issues associated with generating, storing, and distributing electricity, RED is a safe process that does not involve hazardous chemicals or generate hazardous wastes. The RED process is more reliable than wind turbines and solar panels, because it does not depend on varying forces of nature (wind, sunshine). Brackish water is processed in numerous ways to fuel Hyperion s economy, such as: Algae horticulture for biofuel production Dehydration for commercial/domestic use Hydrogen extraction for energy
Additional Tradeoffs and Issues Water quality changes in the fresh and saltwater supplies to RED could cause the membranes to foul faster or fail. Keeping pollution out of the feed waters to the plant is essential to reliable power generation and controlling costs. Conversion to DC power was a complicated process, but, by replacing dilapidated and inefficient AC infrastructure everyone benefited. Less power is lost as it travels to homes and industry making energy production efficient. Although early Blue Energy was expensive, the innovation of the strong and durable graphene membranes (that are one atom thick) made it affordable and efficient. The cost of processing brackish water is justified by the economic benefits and job opportunities created. Engineers Make It Work Many engineers are essential to the development and operation of Hyper-Ion technology: Electrical Engineers design storage cells, skids and wind/solar power technology. Civil Engineers create site development plans for Hyperion s power and water infrastructure. Mechanical Engineers develop pumps, stacks and cleaning systems. Chemical Engineers design the graphene membranes. Hydraulic Engineers determine water system flow and pressures. Controls Engineers automate operation of RED stacks and power systems. Great things happen when engineers of all disciplines work together toward a common goal. Word Count: 998
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