System scaling approach and thermoeconomic analysis of a pressure retarded osmosis system for power production with hypersaline draw solution: A Great Salt Lake case study

Osmotic power with pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) is an emerging renewable energy option for locations where fresh water and salt water mix. Energy can be recovered from the salinity gradient between the solutions. This study provides a comprehensive feasibility analysis for a PRO power plant in a hypersaline environment. A sensitivity analysis investigates the effects of key technical and financial parameters on energy and economic performances. A case study is developed for the Great Salt Lake in Utah, USA (which has an average 24% salt concentration). A 25 MW PRO power plant is investigated to analyze the necessary components and their performances. With currently available technologies, the power plant would require 1.54 m3/s (24,410 GPM) fresh water flow rate and 3.08 m3/s (48,820 GPM) salt water flow rate. The net annual energy production is projected to be 154,249 MWh, with capital cost of $238.0 million, and operations and maintenance cost of $35.5 million per year. The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) would be $0.2025/kWh, but further design improvements would reduce the LCOE to $0.1034/kWh. The high salinity of the Great Salt Lake is a critical factor toward making the osmotic power plant economically feasible. [Display omitted] •A technoeconomic framework is presented for pressure retarded osmosis power plants.•System integration of PRO for power generation is investigated at large scale (25 MW).•An LCOE of 0.20 $/kWh can be achieved with current technology at the Great Salt Lake, Utah, USA.•Improved design of the power plant can reduce LCOE to 0.10 $/kWh.•Sensitivity analysis shows little return by improving membrane performance past 10 W/m2.