Sweetch Energy to optimise its unique zero-carbon electricity generation technology using turnkey process control platform from Rockwell Automation
30 May 2024
Nicolas Heuzé, Co-Founder and CEO, Sweetch Energy
Rockwell Automation will support the automation of French renewables startup Sweetch Energy's unique zero-carbon electricity power generation technology through the deployment of a turnkey process control system and remote operations visualisation platform.
Sweetch Energy's first osmotic demonstrator plant is currently under construction and will soon be operational at the Barcarin lock in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, France. The company plans to deploy several osmotic stations at the mouth of the Rhône to harness natural osmotic energy. These stations will represent up to 500MW of carbon-free electricity production capacity, capable of supplying more than 1.5 million people – the equivalent to the population of cities such as Marseille and its surrounding areas, Barcelona, Amsterdam or Montreal.
"Sweetch Energy mirrors our own deep commitment to sustainability and the development of enabling technologies," said Eric Chalengeas, Regional Vice President, South Region, Rockwell Automation. "We are delighted that our process solutions, visualisation technology and domain expertise are being deployed in such a fascinating project. As well as helping Sweetch Energy to scale and enhance its technology, our global presence will also help it expand into other regions, where we can continue to offer comprehensive global service and support."
Osmotic energy is naturally generated by the difference in salinity between freshwater and seawater. The INOD (Ionic Nano Osmotic Diffusion) technology developed by Sweetch Energy is the first technology of its kind to be marketed on an industrial scale.
Manufactured using environmentally-friendly bio-sourced materials, the osmotic generators using the technology can be located at any estuary or delta. Water is the only input and in the process is fully returned to the river mouth, with no chemical waste or pollutants created. And, unlike other renewables, it is not dependent on weather conditions, and can produce clean electricity continuously. The technology can also be incorporated into locally sympathetic structures, hidden away, or even installed underground.
Rockwell's technologies will be used to automate, control, and monitor the system, as well as optimise the process and power-generation efficiency. The technology to be deployed at the pilot plant is also highly scalable, allowing Sweetch Energy to create standardised, modular installations, with worldwide support, of any size anywhere.
Nicolas Heuzé, Co-Founder and CEO of Sweetch Energy, explains, "Our INOD technology is addressing the challenge of producing clean, competitively-priced electricity that's available 24/7. Thanks to INOD, osmotic energy will become a main component of the global energy mix. Rockwell's expertise in process control, sustainability, and its global reach, make it an excellent partner for Sweetch Energy as we initiate the international rollout of our operations, starting with the US this summer."
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