The construction activities for the pilot installation at Breezanddijk are on schedule. This will make it possible to start with the REDstack research programme concerning blue energy at the Afsluitdijk at January 2014.

Rik Siebers, director of REDstack: ‘The design and permit process was complex, but at the end of July we were able to start constructing the pilot installation that will serve as a research installation. With this small process installation we can develop and scale up reverse electro dialysis (RED) technology. Subsequently we can build a demonstration installation in order to bring the technology to the market. Blue Energy with RED is a new technology, aimed at generating energy from water because of the difference in salt concentration between fresh and salt water. Positive and negative particles will be divided by ion selective membranes and electricity is formed. This is the principle of reversed electro dialysis. The location is very suitable for our research, because the Afsluitdijk divides fresh and salt water.’

The activities at the former construction island near the midpoint of the Afsluitdijk are in full swing. The lines of the building are clearly visible at the southern part of Breezanddijk. Meanwhile Redstack is preparing the technical arrangement, where the research programme will start at the beginning of 2014.