An optimised solar-based microgrid integrated with desalination to enhance exergy sustainability

Abstract

The size of a solar microgrid system should be designed based on aspects of sustainability, such as cost, exergy, etc. This study by the division algorithm finds the optimal size with maximum reliability vs. the cumulative exergy demand. Larak Island, Iran, is used as an example of how the concept could be applied to the real world. According to the introduced optimal size, 1 m3 of freshwater generated by the solar energy system leads to an average cumulative exergy demand of 17 MJ. While integrating a diesel generator into system means, exergy demand reaches 33 MJ/m3 of freshwater.