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Marine Current Energy Converters to Power a Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant

Author

Listed:
  • Jennifer Leijon

    (Division of Electricity, Uppsala University, 751 05 Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Johan Forslund

    (Division of Electricity, Uppsala University, 751 05 Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Karin Thomas

    (Division of Electricity, Uppsala University, 751 05 Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Cecilia Boström

    (Division of Electricity, Uppsala University, 751 05 Uppsala, Sweden)

Abstract

Some countries are facing issues on freshwater and electricity production, which can be addressed with the use of renewable energy powered desalination systems. In the following study, a reverse osmosis desalination plant powered by marine current energy converters is suggested. The marine current energy converters are designed at Uppsala University in Sweden, specifically for utilizing low water speeds (1–2 m/s). Estimations on freshwater production for such a system, in South Africa, facing the Indian Ocean was presented and discussed. It is concluded that the desalination plant cannot by itself supply freshwater for a population all the time, due to periods of too low water speeds (<1 m/s), but for 75% of the time. By using ten marine current energy converters, each with a nominal power rating of 7.5 kW, combined with a reverse osmosis desalination plant and water storage capacity of 2800 m 3 , it is possible to cover the basic freshwater demand of 5000 people. More studies on the hydrokinetic resource of the Western Indian Ocean, system cost, technology development, environmental and social aspects are necessary for more accurate results.

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer Leijon & Johan Forslund & Karin Thomas & Cecilia Boström, 2018. "Marine Current Energy Converters to Power a Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:11:p:2880-:d:177869
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Li, Zhenyu & Siddiqi, Afreen & Anadon, Laura Diaz & Narayanamurti, Venkatesh, 2018. "Towards sustainability in water-energy nexus: Ocean energy for seawater desalination," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 3833-3847.
    2. Francisco Francisco & Jennifer Leijon & Cecilia Boström & Jens Engström & Jan Sundberg, 2018. "Wave Power as Solution for Off-Grid Water Desalination Systems: Resource Characterization for Kilifi-Kenya," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-14, April.
    3. Kai-Wern Ng & Wei-Haur Lam & Khai-Ching Ng, 2013. "2002–2012: 10 Years of Research Progress in Horizontal-Axis Marine Current Turbines," Energies, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-30, March.
    4. Zhou, Zhibin & Benbouzid, Mohamed & Charpentier, Jean-Frédéric & Scuiller, Franck & Tang, Tianhao, 2017. "Developments in large marine current turbine technologies – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 852-858.
    5. Hammar, Linus & Ehnberg, Jimmy & Mavume, Alberto & Cuamba, Boaventura C. & Molander, Sverker, 2012. "Renewable ocean energy in the Western Indian Ocean," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(7), pages 4938-4950.
    6. Johan Forslund & Staffan Lundin & Karin Thomas & Mats Leijon, 2015. "Experimental Results of a DC Bus Voltage Level Control for a Load-Controlled Marine Current Energy Converter," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(5), pages 1-15, May.
    7. Segura, E. & Morales, R. & Somolinos, J.A. & López, A., 2017. "Techno-economic challenges of tidal energy conversion systems: Current status and trends," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 536-550.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mirmanto & I Made Adi Sayoga & Agung Tri Wijayanta & Agus Pulung Sasmito & Muhammad Aziz, 2021. "Enhancement of Continuous-Feed Low-Cost Solar Distiller: Effects of Various Fin Designs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-15, August.
    2. Okampo, Ewaoche John & Nwulu, Nnamdi, 2021. "Optimisation of renewable energy powered reverse osmosis desalination systems: A state-of-the-art review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    3. Wenbin Su & Hongbo Wei & Penghua Guo & Ruizhe Guo, 2021. "Remote Monitoring and Fault Diagnosis of Ocean Current Energy Hydraulic Transmission and Control Power Generation System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-18, July.

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