French start-up Sweetch Energy has achieved a groundbreaking feat in converting delta seawater into electricity. Their solution harnesses the power of a freshwater-seawater mixture to generate electricity on a significant scale. With plans underway for a pilot site near Marseille, this innovation holds the potential to meet the energy demands of the city, which boasts a population of nearly one million residents. The start-up successfully secured 6 million euros in funding last September, further bolstering this promising endeavor.
The core concept behind Sweetch Energy’s pioneering approach lies in osmotic energy, a natural phenomenon resulting from the salinity disparity between freshwater rivers and seawater. While this form of renewable and clean energy has long been known, its commercial viability had been limited. However, Sweetch Energy’s patented INOD technology has unveiled new horizons of possibility.
The company aims to inaugurate the first large-scale pilot production plant in the Rhône delta, adjacent to Marseille, by the year’s end. Collaborations with industry giants such as Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR) and EDF solidify their commitment to this venture.