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Diploma · 800 h · 8 modules
Diploma in Blue Osmotic Energy and Salinity Gradient Power
The Diploma in Blue Osmotic Energy and Salinity Gradient Power Prepares you to understand and evaluate blue energy, the power that can be harnessed from the difference in salinity between freshwater and seawater. You will study th
Duration800 h
FormatOnline
Starts21 December
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
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Programme overview
What is the Diploma in Blue Osmotic Energy and Salinity Gradient Power?
The Diploma in Blue Osmotic Energy and Salinity Gradient Power
Prepares you to understand and evaluate blue energy, the power that can be harnessed from the difference in salinity between freshwater and seawater. You will study the thermodynamics of mixing, pressure retarded osmosis and reverse electrodialysis, the central role of membranes, site selection at river mouths and salt works, and the technical and economic challenges of a technology that is still at the research and demonstration stage.
Key advantages
- An emerging technology: A continuous, little-known renewable source, explained rigorously.
- Solid scientific grounding: From the thermodynamics of mixing to plant design.
- Membranes at the core: The component that decides whether the technology is viable.
- A realistic view: State of the art, prototypes and open challenges, with no false promises.
- Case study: A preliminary assessment of a real site.
Programme type
Diploma
Study mode
Online
Duration
800 hours
Modules
8
Programme highlights
- Understand the resource: Calculate the energy available from mixing fresh and salt water.
- Master the technologies: Compare PRO and RED and their variants.
- Know your membranes: Analyse performance, fouling and costs.
- Assess sites: Study river mouths, brines and salt works.
- Boost your career: Open doors to R&D, water engineering firms and energy consultancies.
- Train at one of the frontiers of ocean energy with a technical, realistic outlook.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 8 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Fundamentals of Blue Energy
- What salinity gradient energy is
- Free energy of mixing
- Osmotic pressure
- Global theoretical potential
- Technical and exploitable potential
- History of the research
- Comparison with other marine renewables
- Current state of the technology
02
Pressure Retarded Osmosis (PRO)
- Operating principle
- Configuration of a PRO plant
- Pressure exchangers
- Turbines and energy recovery
- Water pretreatment
- Membrane power density
- Concentration polarisation
- Prototypes and lessons learnt
03
Reverse Electrodialysis (RED)
- Operating principle
- Ion exchange membranes
- RED stack design
- Electrodes and redox reactions
- Spacers and flow rates
- Internal resistance and losses
- Scaling up the equipment
- RED pilot plants
04
Membranes and Materials
- Types of membrane
- Manufacturing and materials
- Next-generation membranes
- Fouling and scaling
- Cleaning and maintenance
- Durability and service life
- Membrane costs
- Lines of research
05
Other Technologies and Synergies
- Capacitive mixing
- Nanofluidics and advanced membranes
- Integration with desalination
- Using brines
- Integration with wastewater plants
- Hybridisation with other renewables
- Salinity-based energy storage
- Laboratory-stage technologies
06
Sites and Resource
- River mouths
- Estuaries and coastal lagoons
- Brines from desalination plants
- Salt works and salt lakes
- Flow rates and seasonal availability
- Water quality and pretreatment
- Site selection criteria
- Resource assessment tools
07
Environmental Impact, Economics and Regulation
- Effects on estuaries
- Discharge of brackish water
- Water intakes and aquatic fauna
- Levelised cost of energy
- Factors that drive cost
- Barriers to commercialisation
- Regulatory framework for water use
- Outlook for the technology
08
Case Study: Assessing a Salinity Gradient Site
- Site selection
- Characterising flows and salinities
- Calculating the potential
- Choosing the technology
- Preliminary sizing
- Environmental analysis
- Economic estimate
- Conclusions and recommendations
Workload
Study Time and Workload
800 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Chemical, industrial or environmental engineers: who want to explore emerging marine energy Desalination and water treatment professionals: who work with membranes Researchers and PhD students: exploring new renewable sources Energy company staff: who analyse developing technologies Environmental consultants: who assess projects in estuaries and on the coast
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Understand salinity gradients
- 02Understand pressure retarded osmosis
- 03Understand reverse electrodialysis
- 04Analyse membranes
- 05Assess sites
- 06Assess feasibility
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Emerging energy researcher: Technology centres and universities.
02Membrane process engineer: Desalination, water treatment and energy.
03Energy technology analyst: Technology watch in sector companies.
04Energy consultant: Potential and feasibility studies.
05R&D project officer: Managing innovation projects.
06Brine valorisation specialist: Desalination plants and industry.
Questions
Entry Requirements
No. It is at the research and demonstration stage; the diploma gives a realistic account of its progress and its limitations.
PRO uses osmotic pressure to drive a turbine; RED generates electricity directly using ion exchange membranes.
A grounding in general chemistry helps; the specific concepts are explained from the start.
Yes. It shares membrane technology and can make use of brine from desalination plants.
A preliminary assessment of the salinity gradient potential at a real site.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 800 hours of study. You can work at your own pace within the timetable we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by our admissions team when you enquire.
On completing the programme you receive the Diploma in Blue Osmotic Energy and Salinity Gradient Power qualification awarded by Navalis Magna Institute.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Entry profile: A degree in chemical, industrial, environmental or energy engineering, chemistry, physics, marine science or a related field; or professional experience in the water or energy sector. Language: A good working level of English to follow classes and materials. Technical requirements: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a webcam for live sessions and project presentations. Admissions process: Online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team. We confirm your start date when you enquire.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
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