Siemens, Marc (2023) Barriers to osmotic power plants. Exploring the potential of reverse electrodialysis power plants in shaping our future energy landscape: Examining current barriers that hinder an upscaling. Master thesis.
|
Text
Masterthesis_Marc Siemens_EIP.pdf Download (2MB) | Preview |
Abstract
This thesis examines the potential of osmotic energy as a sustainable and innovative renewable energy source while addressing the main research question: Which current barriers to osmotic energy, while focusing on reverse electrodialysis (RED), can be identified from a holistic planning perspective that could hinder an upscaling process, especially in the context of the Netherlands? A strong focus on RED power plants as a case study and in the spatial context of the Netherlands is fundamental to this thesis. Drawing upon insights from literature, documents, and interviews, it identifies various facets of osmotic energy's diffusion, based on the insights from Innovation Diffusion Theory. It explores in this frame its relative advantages, compatibility with sociocultural factors, complexity, trialability, and observability. While acknowledging its benefits, such as environmental benefits, reliability, infrastructure compatibility, and public acceptability, the thesis balances these aspects against identified key barriers to the upscaling of osmotic energy on multiple levels, including substantial funding requirements, economic considerations, regulatory complexities, potential water resource conflicts, diverging interests, limited political awareness, and the necessity of becoming competitive in the renewable energy market. Based on that, this thesis provides valuable insights from a holistic planning perspective into current barriers in the upscaling process, while offering an up-to-date and holistic perspective for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders in the renewable energy sector.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Degree programme: | Environmental & Infrastructure Planning |
| Supervisor: | Kann, F.M.G. van and Busscher, T. |
| Date Deposited: | 18 Oct 2023 10:43 |
| Last Modified: | 18 Oct 2023 10:43 |
| URI: | https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4417 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |