Feasibility of using pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) to replace diesel in Bella Coola British Columbia

Abstract

Can pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) reduce or eliminate diesel dependency in Bella Coola, British Columbia? This study looked into the possibility of using PRO to replace diesel in Bella Coola by analyzing the energy potential of six watersheds in the region, comparing the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of PRO to current diesel prices, and examining potential environmental impacts associated with PRO. Analysis showed that the most significant factor preventing PRO from being a viable option in Bella Coola and other markets is contributed to the high cost and poor efficiency of PRO membrane technology. While PRO technology may not currently be economically feasible for Bella Coola, with the introduction of the communities proposed hydroelectric facility in Nooklikonnik Creek, PRO could subsidize the remaining energy demand from diesel in the future with less environmental impacts than current systems.