Eco-Friendly design of a small scale pressure retarded osmosis power plant close to the Simeto River Mouth

The osmotic pressure, obtained from the difference of salinity between fresh water of rivers and salt water from the sea, is one of the most promising technologies in the context of marine renewable energy. The present work investigates a small-scale Pressure Retarded Osmosis (PRO) plant to be located along the eastern coast of Sicily (Italy), near the mouth of the Simeto River. After estimating PRO plant potential power production, in terms both of the availability of water resources and of local salinity gradients, in order to guarantee a low environmental impact and according to the principles of the “Green Economy”, we paid attention to the materials adopted for the structure components and, looking at the educational function of the plant, we ideated the building interior design. Concerning possible environmental impacts, the discharge dynamics in the nearshore region is investigated by means of hydrodynamic modelling, taking into account wave and current interactions close to the river mouth.