Potential of Electricity Generation by the Salinity Gradient Energy Conversion Technologies in the System of Urmia Lake-Gadar Chay River

Energy production from salinity gradients is one of the developing renewable energy sources, and has significant potential for satisfying electrical demands. Urmia Lake is the second hyper-saline lake in the world and there is a significant salinity gradient between the lake’s water and the waters of those rivers that flow into the lake. A methodology for determining the feasibility for electrical production using Salinity Gradient Power (SGP) is developed for two different types of systems using this location as an example. Reverse Electrodialysis (RED) and Pressure Retarded Osmosis (PRO), The Gadar Chay River is one of thirteen rivers that run into Urmia Lake; it supports about 10% of the lake’s water. In this study, important parameters such as river discharge and the salinity content of river and lake’s waters for several years were investigated. The theoretical and technical potential of salinity gradient energy was also determined. These calculations indicate that 206.08 MW of electrical power could be produced at this location when the river flow is approximately 29.82 m³/s and they illustrates the potential for salinity gradient energy extraction between Urmia Lake and The Gadar Chay River.