Sustainable Desalination Using Renewable Energy Sources

Abstract

Freshwater production through desalination processes can be achieved by two major physical principles: evaporation/condensation and separation/filtration. This chapter explores some renewable energy technologies such as PV and wind turbines, which have reached maturity and have consequently provided economical applications in desalination. Conventionally, desalination processes are powered by energy derived from combustion of fossil fuels, which contribute to acid rain and climate change by releasing greenhouse gases as well as several other harmful emissions. The triple bottom line for assessing sustainability of a desalination process, which includes the critical components of environmental, economic, and social domains, is also discussed. Finally, several inconveniences to local communities resulting from construction of large desalination plants are considered, including closure of recreational facilities, local transportation, noise and air pollution and aesthetical depreciation, and inflow and outflow traffic resulting from transporting materials.