Systems and methods for harnessing thermal gradient energy

A method of generating electricity, the method comprising:

• applying heat to a first external side of a reservoir of a thermal diffusion unit;
• generating a thermal gradient across the reservoir by removing heat from an opposing second external side of the reservoir, whereby a cooler internal region is developed inside the reservoir and a warmer internal region is developed inside the reservoir;
• using the thermal gradient to cause (i) solutes in a saline solution to move to the cooler internal region inside the reservoir and (ii) solvent molecules in the saline solution to accumulate in the warmer internal region inside the reservoir, resulting in separation of a first saline solution and a second saline solution within the reservoir, wherein the first saline solution is more concentrated with saline than the second saline solution;
• drawing the first saline solution from the thermal diffusion unit;
• drawing the second saline solution from the thermal diffusion unit;
• and
• feeding the first saline solution and the second saline solution into the power generator;
• operating the power generator to:
• receive the first saline solution and the second saline solution;
• and
• generate power by performing a controlled mixing of the first saline solution and the second saline solution;
• drawing, from the power generator, a combined saline solution comprising the first saline solution mixed with the second saline solution;
• and
• feeding the combined saline solution to the thermal diffusion unit.