Amazing solution

Electricity from water and salt – is that possible?

Wherever fresh water flows into the sea, osmotic power plants could theoretically be built to generate energy.

(Bild: stock.adobe.com)

If water falls somewhere, it can be used to generate energy - that's a well-known fact. However, the exciting concept of an osmotic power plant is much less well known. Author and natural scientist Christian Mähr explains what's behind it. 

If a freshwater river flows into the sea, it would theoretically be possible to generate energy via an osmotic power plant. How would this work? The principle of osmosis is not very common in everyday life - it is best explained using the example of cherries: When they are ripe, fruit growers are known to fear the rain. It makes the fruit wet - and they burst and become unsightly. Why?