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All you Should Know About Solar-Powered Desalination | |
| Sumita Pawar |
Independent water and power (IWP) companies are leading the charge in rolling out large-scale renewable water projects.
Know where the top reverse osmosis desalination plants are in the world.
Solar power is the granddaddy of the renewable energy family. It's the power behind satellites, lunar and Martian rovers, and the International Space Station (ISS), stated the report.
The report talking about renewable water said that in the arid regions where there’s almost year-round sunshine, the sun offers a limitless power source shining down on us literally every day— just waiting to be tapped for water desalination.
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Tapping solar power for desalination is already happening, with top independent water and power (IWP) companies in the Middle East leading this global drive.
Many of the existing desal plants still use liquid fossil fuels. Now there’s a strategic shift towards renewables, solar in particular.
Solar energy is sustainable and renewable. The desalination process is energy-intensive, requiring huge amounts of electricity to power the pumps and other equipment necessary to extract salt and other impurities from seawater.
Further commenting on why to use solar for desalination? The report stated that solar energy can be used to power the desalination process in two ways, which include,
Solar thermal energy: This involves using the sun's heat to generate steam, which is then used to power a turbine to generate electricity or directly heat the water for desalination.
Photovoltaic (PV) energy: This involves using solar cells to directly convert sunlight into electricity, which can then be used to power the desalination process.
The report also mentioned a few of its advantages, which are,
Sustainability: Solar power is a renewable and sustainable source of energy.
Cost-effectiveness: Once the solar panels are installed, the energy from the sun is free.
Environmentally friendly: Solar energy does not produce greenhouse gas emissions or other harmful pollutants.
Accessibility: Solar energy is abundant in many parts of the world, including the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East, and North Africa.
Not only will this help curb dependence on liquid fuels, but it will also usher in a new era. At least in theory, it could help address the increasing demand for freshwater in many parts of the world while also promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility.
According to the report, Irena, the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Agency, estimates that if only 10 percent of the installed capacity was replaced by solar-powered desalination, it could save up to 1.5 billion cubic meters of water and avoid the emission of 260 million tons of CO2 annually.
Some of the biggest renewable-powered desalination projects Engie is working on in the Middle East include Jubail 3B and Yanbu 4 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which are utilizing solar energy to power desalination plants.
Engie has eight desalination plants in the area. Four of them use or will use reverse osmosis (RO) technology.
In February 2023, Engie, together with the UAE’s Taqa, were also awarded the Mirfa 2 RO Independent Water Project (IWP), which aims to produce up to 120 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD) of potable water (about 550,000 cubic meters per day). Once operational, it will meet the water demand of up to 210,000 households in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Furthermore, talking about the COP28 report, the UAE, which hosts this year’s UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28) from November 30 to December 12, 2023, in Dubai, has a strong focus on minimizing environmental impact and is leading investments in the field.
Solar-powered desalination is gaining popularity globally, but more so in the Gulf. The Irena report estimates that if 10 percent of the installed capacity was replaced by solar-powered desalination, it could save up to 1.5 billion cubic meters of water and avoid the emission of 260 million tons of CO2 annually.
EWEC renewable desalination
According to the report, in September, Abu Dhabi-headquartered utility EWEC called for expressions of interest (EoI) to build a reverse osmosis-bbased independent water project to desalinate seawater using low-carbon intensive RO technologies to provide about 100 million imperial gallons per day (MIGD), equivalent to 455,000 cubic meters a day for up to 180,000 households on Saadiyat and Hudayriat Islands.
Report concluded with renewable desalination companies, which include,
Abengoa: Abengoa is a Spanish company that is involved in the development of concentrated solar power (CSP) and solar-powered desalination technologies. The company has built several large-scale, solar-powered desalination plants in different parts of the world.
ACWA Power: The Saudi-based company is a leading developer, investor, co-owner, and operator of a portfolio of power generation and desalinated water production plants present in 10 countries, including the Middle East and North Africa, Southern Africa, and South East Asia regions. It has nearly 70 power generation and water desalination projects in operation, construction, and development, with an overall estimated portfolio size of SR256.6 billion ($68.15 billion) at project cost as of December 31, 2022.
Aqualia: Aqualia is a Spanish company that is involved in the development of desalination technologies. The company has built several solar-powered desalination plants in different parts of the world, including the Middle East and Africa.
Aquatech International: The US-based global water purification company provides a range of water and wastewater treatment solutions for industrial, infrastructure, and utility applications. The company, founded in 1981, is headquartered in Pennsylvania. It offers water treatment, desalination, water recycling, zero liquid discharge (ZLD), wastewater treatment, and water management. The company has executed more than 1,000 projects worldwide.
ENGIE: Formerly known as GDF Suez, ENGIE is a French multinational company with its headquarters based in Paris, France. The company operates in the fields of power generation and distribution, natural gas, and renewable energy, and has operations and offices in many countries around the world.
IDE Technologies: IDE Technologies is an Israeli company that specializes in desalination technologies. The company has developed a hybrid desalination system that combines solar power and reverse osmosis technology.
Solar Water Solutions: Solar Water Solutions is a Dutch company that specializes in solar-powered desalination technologies. The company has developed a compact, low-cost solar-powered desalination system that can be used in remote areas.
Mascara Renewable Water: Mascara Renewable Water is a French company that is involved in the development of renewable energy-based water treatment solutions, including solar-powered desalination technologies.
Metito Overseas Ltd., headquartered in Dubai, is a global leader and provider of choice for total intelligent water management solutions, with operations covering three business areas: design and build, specialty chemicals, and utilities.
Veolia: Headquartered in France, Veolia is a French company with activities in water management, waste management, and energy services. Veolia has been involved in various solar-powered desalination projects around the world. Veolia has worked on solar-powered desalination projects in different parts of the world, including Australia, the Caribbean, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and others.