Process and apparatus for producing mechanical or electrical power using a LCST polymer system

Process for producing mechanical or electrical power comprising a step of bringing a LCST polymeric system sequentially and repeatedly into contact with a first aqueous stream to bring said polymer system in a first state and with a second aqueous stream to bring said polymer system in a second state, in the course of which an osmotic pressure difference is effectuated between the first state and the second state by using a first aqueous stream having a temperature which is higher than the LCST of said polymer system when it is in contact with said first aqueous stream and a second aqueous stream having a temperature which is lower than the LCST of said polymer system when it is in contact with said second aqueous stream, and wherein said difference in osmotic pressure is used to generate mechanical or electrical power. Furthermore the apparatus produces mechanical or electrical power from at least two aqueous streams.