Optimal arrangements of renewable energy systems for promoting the decarbonization of desalination plants

Abstract

In this research, a renewable energy hybrid system (PV-Wind) is modeled to compare different design options based on their economic and technical features. The energy requirements of a Reversible Osmosis desalination plant located on the island of Tenerife with a water production capacity of up to 20,000 m3/day was considered. The system is connected to the electricity grid. The HOMER software, version 2.75 was used to produce optimum strategies for renewable energy. The assumptions input into the model were: the technical specifications of the devices, electricity demand of the desalination plant, as well as the solar radiation and the wind speed potentials. Numerous arrangements were considered by the software, version 2.75. The optimal results were obtained based on the use of renewable energy. The data used in the study were recorded in Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The experience of this research could be transferred to other Atlantic islands with similar renewable energy sources (specifically the wind) and water scarce conditions.