REYKJAVIK, Dec 23 (IPS) - Iceland already gets over 72 percent of its energy from renewable, hydroelectric and geothermal sources, but Icelanders are ambitious when it comes to energy and scientists are now looking at osmotic and tidal power to meet future energy needs.Prototype power plants tapping these innovative sources are to be located in the West Fjords of Iceland and expected to be functional in the next few years. Osmotic power, harnessed at estuaries, is probably the world's newest form of energy. However, the basic technology behind it is over 30 years old as it is basically desalination in reverse. Thorsteinn Ingi Sigfusson of Innovation Centre Iceland (ICI), who has been involved with the development of osmotic energy and tidal power, says that osmotic technology is relatively safe and simple.
