Techno-economic optimization and new modeling technique of PV-wind-reverse osmosis desalination plant at variable load conditions

Abstract

In this paper, a new modeling technique of a seawater reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plant fed by hybrid renewable energy sources is provided. The proposed model consists of five sub-systems including RO plant model, photovoltaic (PV) model, horizontal wind turbine (HWT) model, battery model and the control room unit. In the RO model, the process is optimized to have the lowest specific energy consumption under different operating conditions and variable productivity ranging from 100 to 10000 m3 per day. However, in the PV and HWT models, various manufacturing datasheets for PV panels and wind turbines are stored at different power ratings. The model allows the selection of appropriate design specifications based on average solar radiation and average wind speed at the site. In addition, the total battery storage, Ampere-hour capacity and other specifications are calculated in the battery model. The control room unit is responsible for calculating the total annual costs and the cost of fresh water production according to the plant productivity, lifetime and interest rate. It has a splitter control ratio to regulate the load distribution between PV and wind turbines relative to changes in climatic conditions. The model is simulated using Matlab/Simulink and provides good results for model validation.