Experimental and Economical Analysis of an Autonomous Renewable Power Supply System for Water Desalination and Electric Generation

Abstract

Solar-Wind systems are growing as a vital option to power different types of membrane desalination processes. It is becoming very important to use renewable power sources because of zero emissions to the environment. In this work, solar photovoltaic (PV) system is used to power on the reverse osmosis (RO) desalination process. Meanwhile, Vertical Wind Turbine (VWT) system has been used as a recovery system during sun absence periods. Moreover, the possibilities to operate a hybrid system of PV-VWT combined with RO system has also investigated. The system is designed to desalinate a low rate of fresh water at a scale capacity of 0.1-1m3/day. The system is contained as a mobile unit which can be used to serve rural areas during safari and tourism travels in deserts with some features such as, compactness, stability, and ease of maintenance. The unit product cost (UPC, $/m3) is found in the range of 1.51$/m3.