With the global push for sustainable solutions to combat climate change and freshwater scarcity, this research investigates a 100% renewable energy-powered combined power and desalination system using solar and wind energy. It addresses existing gaps in studies that often overlook comprehensive optimization and effective dynamic scheduling. Two energy management scenarios─pumped storage alone and a combination of pumped storage and battery integration─were analyzed to evaluate their performance across different seasonal variations and operational conditions. The study’s findings demonstrate that the proposed system achieves a power and water load satisfaction rate exceeding 99%, with energy losses kept below 2%. Incorporating battery storage not only further reduces the total annual operational costs but also enhances economic feasibility and system stability throughout the year. On a typical high-demand summer day, the integrated system achieves significant environmental benefits, saving up to 6.47 tons of coal and reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 16.96 tons. By combining optimization techniques and a comprehensive energy management strategy, this study provides a practical framework for implementing renewable energy-based desalination systems that ensure reliable operation and minimize energy waste, supporting the transition toward sustainable energy and water supply solutions.

Desalination of sea water projects are critical for addressing water scarcity in regions like Egypt, but they face numerous risks that can hinder their success. This study identifies and analyzes 53 risk factors affecting renewable energy desalination projects through expert interviews, literature review, and a questionnaire survey completed by 47 experts. Statistical methods, including descriptive statistics (mean, mode, standard error, and standard deviation), Pearson correlation, and Cronbach's alpha, were employed to validate the reliability and significance of these factors. The overall questionnaire showed excellent reliability (α = 0.815 for probability of occurrence; α = 0.921 for degree of impact). The results indicate a strong consensus among industry experts. Inflation and price fluctuations was ranked as the highest-probability risk (mean = 4.32/5), while faulty design of plant components (intake, outfall, mechanical systems) was ranked as the highest-impact risk (mean = 4.51/5). Conversely, environmental disasters (earthquakes, floods) showed the lowest probability of occurrence (mean = 1.91/5), and social pressures from entities not directly invested in the project’s success showed the lowest degree of impact (mean = 2.70/5). These statistically validated findings provide project stakeholders with critical insights into the most significant threats to desalination initiatives in Egypt's unique operational context. These findings provide a robust basis for understanding and managing risks in desalination projects, contributing to grow the knowledge on desalination project sustainability and offers actionable insights for stakeholders in Egypt and similar arid regions.

Renewable energy desalination is gaining much attention in remote off-grid communities facing challenges in accessing clean water. Typically, batteries ensure the continuous operation of small-scale renewable reverse osmosis (RO) desalination systems; however, they are expensive and have relatively shorter lifespans. This study investigates the implementation of a compressed air energy storage (CAES) system coupled with a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) to directly drive small-scale RO desalination, potentially replacing batteries and reducing energy conversions. A Simulink model was developed to simulate the performance of a VAWT-driven CAES operating RO units, adaptable for both technical and economic assessments. Parametric studies have identified the optimal configuration. The most cost-effective configuration, utilising eleven VAWTs and a pressure exchanger (PX), achieves a levelised cost of water (LCOW) of 1.63 US$/m3 and an annual water production of 9400 m3. The normalised daily water production per square metre of turbine swept area at the study site is 0.19 m3/m2/day at an average wind speed of 5 m/s. While this configuration has a higher initial capital cost, it yields the lowest LCOW. The CAES system effectively addresses the intermittency challenges of wind energy. This study presents a novel, battery-free VAWT-CAES-RO system as a sustainable desalination solution for remote communities, offering a promising approach to address water scarcity in an environmentally friendly manner.

ABSTRACT Despite significant advancement in conventional desalination technologies, their widespread application is still constrained by high energy demands, high capital costs, and the associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the potential and challenges of renewable energy desalination in the Middle East. The study also compared the production of energy and water, and emissions reductions of hypothetical 100 MW renewable energy plants in Kuwait, coupled with reverse osmosis (RO) desalination units. The wind-RO plant is estimated to produce 68 million cubic metres on an annual basis, while the CSP-RO and PV-RO plants produced 44 and 37 million cubic metres of fresh water, respectively. These estimates, however, only account for 5% to 9% of the annual fresh water demand in the reference case. Meeting 100% of the fresh water demand would require a 1000 MW to 2000 MW renewable energy capacity. Overall, the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources is a fundamental barrier to the large-scale transition to renewable energies for desalination. The results of this study indicate that the CSP’s relatively small footprint (compared to wind plants) and higher capacity factor make it an ideal compromise among the proposed plants.

This study examines the complex interplay between food security, climate change, population, water, and renewable energy desalination in five Arab countries: Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Using a comprehensive econometric approach: an Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag approach (ARDL) and Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) technique spanning 1990–2022, to explore the short- and long-run dynamics of these relationships and identify causal linkages. The ARDL results reveal a mixed outcome. While renewable energy desalination capacity holds potential for enhancing food security in all countries, its impact depends on cost and government support. The cost of desalination negatively affects food security in most cases, highlighting the need for cost-effective solutions. Climate change poses a significant threat, particularly in Morocco, Egypt, and Jordan, but it may also offer unexpected opportunities for KSA and UAE. Population growth, unsurprisingly, strains food security across the region. Water scarcity emerges as a major challenge, especially for Jordan. The Granger causality tests uncover bidirectional relationships between renewable energy desalination, climate change, and water in Morocco and Jordan, suggesting their interconnected influence. In Egypt, population, water, and food imports drive the system, while KSA and UAE exhibit complex dynamics with renewable energy desalination and food imports acting as key drivers. Policymakers facing the complex challenge of food security in Arab countries should take note of this research’s multifaceted findings. While renewable energy desalination holds promise, its success hinges on reducing costs through technological advancements and government support, particularly in Morocco, Egypt, and Jordan. Climate change adaptation strategies must be prioritized, while recognizing potentially unexpected opportunities in regions like KSA and UAE. Additionally, addressing water scarcity through innovative resource management is crucial, especially for Jordan. Managing population growth through family planning initiatives and promoting sustainable agricultural practices are vital for long-term food security. Finally, the identified causal relationships underscore the need for integrated policy approaches that acknowledge the interconnectedness of these factors. By tailoring responses to the specific dynamics of each nation, policymakers can ensure effective interventions and secure a sustainable food future for the region.

Renewable energy desalination is an excellent solution for areas lacking electrical grid connection or any other source of energy. However, the economic feasibility of renewable energy desalination compared to desalination using grid energy has not been extensively researched. This report presents a technical and financial pre-feasibility assessment for solar and wind energy desalination, compared to conventional desalination in Thira island (Greece). The technical assessment involves design of a desalination unit with a capacity of 1000 m^3per day, using ROSA software. The financial feasibility analysis is carried out using RETScreen, a ‘Clean Energy Project Analysis Software’. The report presents two case scenarios: Solar and Wind power compared to diesel generators, to desalinate seawater. The outcome of this report is to use our feasibility analysis to support implementation of renewable energy desalination in large and medium population locations, besides rural areas, located in geographic regions similar to Thira island. The results of our feasibility analysis reveal a good potential for the development of renewable energy desalination projects: implementing the wind energy option would generate a net present value of 732,295€ with an attractive payback period shorter than 6 years

Energy and water are two of the most important components required to ensure prosperity and sustainable development to societies. This paper aims to review the status of renewable energy desalination for Greek islandic communities, deployed in two axes. The first one reviews the desalination systems state of the art technological solutions, their energy needs, how renewable energy may be employed and finally the cost of renewable energy desalination is investigated. The second axis focuses on Greek islands per se, where the current situation is investigated, potential solutions for meeting the water needs are evaluated, all leading to the proposal of a methodology towards designing an appropriate and applicable approach in addressing the water needs. Finally, a discussion takes place on how such options might be further deployed, particularly regarding the impacts they may produce for the livelihood and the future prosperity of the pertinent communities, and at the same time supporting the energy transition towards the EU Green Deal goals.

This paper deals with innovative renewable energy (RE) - powered seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) plants based on tidal range/PhotoVoltaic (PV) systems as a hybrid technology with interesting prospects to promote the RE desalination at medium to large capacity ranges. Key features to enhance solar PV with tidal range energy are the good temporary complementarity of both options and the predictable water production pattern that the tidal range plant allows, along with ensuring water production at night. Once the basic sizing of a power plant referred to a 20 MW turbine is conducted, the sensitivity analysis of main performance parameters of the hybrid solar/tidal desalination system is carried out through yearly simulations. With this analysis, an extension of the knowledge about the performance of hybrid tidal/solar desalination is gained in such a way that three useful design criteria are derived from the results: i) total investment cost per unitary water production, ii) energy consumed in desalination to total energy production, and iii) energy non-useful for desalination. Recommended designs are provided under each of these three criteria for given yearly freshwater demand with SWRO plants of 3.5 and 4.8 kWh/m3 of specific energy consumption. Results proves that off-grid SWRO desalination powered by hybrid tidal/PV systems in a favorable location achieves actual water production of one half of nominal production with adequate selection of design parameters. Recommended sizing of the energy generator for minimizing capital costs corresponds to 20 MW tidal/25–27 MWp PV per 12 MW of SWRO consumption. Additionally, in absence of realistic costs data, the recommended design criterion for the plant sizing relies on the ratio of energy used by the desalination plant to that produced by the hybrid tidal/PV generator. Results at an exemplary plant location show that 14.1 × 106 m3/y of fresh water obtained with desalination consumption of 3.5 kWh/m3 needs 2.0 MW tidal/26.9 MWp PV. This energy system would produce 10 × 106 m3/y considering 4.8 kWh/m3 of specific consumption.

Desalination is a well-established technology used all over the world to mitigate freshwater scarcity. Wind-powered reverse osmosis plants are one of the most promising alternatives for renewable energy desalination, particularly for coastal areas and islands. Wind energy can satisfy the high energy consumption of desalination while reducing costs and CO2 emissions. However, the mismatch between the intermittent availability of the wind resource and the desalination’s power demand makes the integration between the two technologies critical. This paper presents a review of wind-powered desalination systems, focusing on the existing topologies and technological advances. An overview of the advantages and disadvantages are analysed based on the theoretical and experimental cases available in the scientific literature. The goal of this work is to show the current status of wind-powered desalination and to present the technical challenges that need to be overcome in order to ensure a sustainable freshwater source.

Membrane technology is growing very fast and it is used in several main applications from desalination, water and wastewater treatment to medical, biotechnology and gas separation field. Different membrane processes are applied depending on the applications from more traditional pressure-driven membrane processes (Microfiltration, MF; Ultrafiltration, UF; Nanofiltration, NF) to more advanced ones as Membrane contactors (Membrane Distillation, MD; Membrane Dryers; Membrane Emulsifiers) and membrane processes integrated with renewable sources. In this contest, the development of innovative materials, as nanocomposite membranes as well as the study of innovative membrane processes, as MD, are part of the latest scientific research most of the universities and research centers are focusing their efforts on. These topics are also part of main research activities of Center of Excellence in Desalination Technology (CEDT) at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and there will be described in details in next sections. CEDT is also involved in membrane processes and applications, renewable energy desalination, as well as computational modeling and simulation of membrane processes.

A Review of the Water Desalination Systems Integrated with Renewable Energy

The debate about the water resources shortages and finding appropriate solutions to close the water gap in many regions is still not finished. The Mediterranean region is among the most arid regions in the world and hosts more than the half of the world’s water-poor population. The situation is more severe in the southern shore of the Mediterranean, in particular, the Maghreb countries. In this region, water resources are very limited and polluted and most countries rely on groundwater yet overexploited. On the other hand, several factors, including rapid economic growth, expanding populations and changing climate, are driving up demand for water. This pushes forward the Maghreb countries to more and more rely on non-conventional and costly water resources such as wastewater treatment and desalination. Obviously, this bears a heavy burden on the economic growth within these countries. In this paper, rationalizing the virtual water trade and enhancing desalination using renewable energy are presented as two promising options to bridging the Maghreb’s water gap.

Renewable water: Direct contact membrane distillation coupled with solar ponds

Renewable energy desalination: performance analysis and operating data of existing RES desalination plants

A new visual library for modeling and simulation of renewable energy desalination systems (REDS)

In isolated locations, remote areas, or islands, potable water is precious because of the lack of drinking water treatment facilities and energy supply. Thus, a robust and reliable water treatment system based on natural energy is needed to reuse wastewater or to desalinate groundwater/seawater for provision of drinking water. In this work, a hybrid membrane system combining electrodialysis (ED) and forward osmosis (FO), driven by renewable energy (solar energy), denoted as EDFORD (ED-FO Renewable energy Desalination), is proposed to produce high-quality water (potable) from secondary wastewater effluent or brackish water. In this hybrid membrane system, feedwater (secondary wastewater effluent or synthetic brackish water) was drawn to the FO draw solution while the organic and inorganic substances (ions, compounds, colloids and particles) were rejected. The diluted draw solution was then pumped to the solar energy driven ED. In the ED unit, the diluted draw solution was desalted and high-quality water was produced; the concentrate was recycled to the FO unit and reused as the draw solution. Results show that the water produced from this system contains a low concentration of total organic carbon (TOC), carbonate, and cations derived from the feedwater; had a low conductivity; and meets potable water standards. The water production cost considering the investment for membranes and solar panel is 3.32 to 4.92 EUR m(-3) (for 300 days of production per year) for a small size potable water production system.

Overview of existing water and energy policies in the MENA region and potential policy approaches to overcome the existing barriers to desalination using renewable energies

Abstract The Qatar National Food Security Programme (QNFSP) is an initiative by the Heir Apparent of the State of Qatar, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, with the broad remit of developing a sustainable solution to the Nation's current food insecurity due to almost complete dependency on food imports. QNFSP develops a comprehensive solution that covers multiple dimensions from policies and regulations through to infrastructure design. Part of the solution will be an increase in domestic agricultural production, which necessitates significant additional desalination capacity. For reasons of sustainability, the energy demand from desalination will be met by renewable and clean energy sources. Besides desalination and energy generation, aquifer storage will be a key component of the QNFSP infrastructure. Complex interactions exist between the different QNFSP water and energy infrastructure components as well as with already existing infrastructure components in other sectors. A number of alternative scena...

How green solar desalination really is? Environmental assessment using life-cycle analysis (LCA) approach

Renewable energy fueled desalination in Israel