Solar photo voltaics powered seawater desalination plants and their techno-economics

Abstract

Acute scarcity of surface water resources and rapidly falling underground water levels in many regions of the world, have created a compelling need for new fresh water resources, especially for population and industries located in coastal regions. The oceans are mankind's only reliable and perennial source of water. Seawater Desalination by the Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) process is currently the most cost-effective technology for small as well as large-scale fresh water production from seawater. Due to depletion of fossil fuel reserves, increasing interest is being expressed in the use of Renewable Energy (RE) sources for seawater desalination and amongst the RE Sources, Solar Photo Voltaics (SPV) power is considered as a viable option. The techno-economics both in standalone mode and in PV-biodisel hybrid mode for capacities from 0.05 MLD to 300 MLD are examined here. As a Technology Demonstrator, a plant of 500 litre/day capacity has been designed, installed and functional at Indian Institute of Technology Madras.