Abstract
Freshwater scarcity is one of humanity’s reoccurring problems that hamper socio-economic development in many regions across the globe. In coastal areas, seawater can be desalinated through reverse osmosis (RO) and transformed into freshwater for human use. Desalination requires large amounts of energy, mostly in the form of a reliable electricity supply, which in many cases is supplied by diesel generators. The objective of this work is to analyze the wave power resource availability in Kilifi-Kenya and evaluate the possible use of wave power converter (WEC) to power desalination plants. A particular focus is given use of WECs developed by Uppsala University (UU-WEC). The results here presented were achieved using reanalysis—wave data revealed that the local wave climate has an approximate annual mean of 7 kW/m and mode of 5 kW/m. Significant wave height and wave mean period are within 0.8–2 m and 7–8 s respectively, with a predominant wave mean direction from southeast. The seasonal cycle appeared to be the most relevant for energy conversion, having the highest difference of 6 kW/m, in which April is the lowest (3.8 kW/m) and August is the peak (10.5 kW/m). In such mild wave climates, the UU–WEC and similar devices can be suitable for ocean energy harvesting for water desalination systems. Technically, with a capacity factor of 30% and energy consumption of 3 kWh/m3, a coastal community of about five thousand inhabitants can be provided of freshwater by only ten WECs with installed capacity of 20 kW.
Highlights
The worldwide deficiency of clean freshwater causes sanitation problems, food shortage and sometimes even conflicts [1,2,3]
In particular this study aims to investigate the local wave power resource in Kilifi as a starting step of evaluating the possibility of using wave power converter developed by Uppsala University (UU-WEC) technology for desalination systems
Ero /1000 L, is the number of inhabitants supplied by freshwater from a single WEC, recalling that a 1000 L is equivalent to 1 m3
Summary
The worldwide deficiency of clean freshwater causes sanitation problems, food shortage and sometimes even conflicts [1,2,3]. UN’s sustainable development goal (SDG), number 6 aim to ensure access to water and sanitation for all [4]—a goal currently far from met. In 2015, 58% of the Kenyan population had access to safe drinking water, 30% had access to safe sanitation and only. Recent studies reflect upon effects of water usage in rural regions of Kenya [8,9]; discussing the farmers’ willingness to pay for water for agricultural purposes; payments for water services in rural communities; the overall wealth; the use of water saving technologies; and the possibility of handling different types of future changes in the climate in this region [8,9]
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