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Wave Power as Solution for Off-Grid Water Desalination Systems: Resource Characterization for Kilifi-Kenya

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  • Francisco Francisco

    (Division of Electricity, Uppsala University, 751 21, Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Jennifer Leijon

    (Division of Electricity, Uppsala University, 751 21, Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Cecilia Boström

    (Division of Electricity, Uppsala University, 751 21, Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Jens Engström

    (Division of Electricity, Uppsala University, 751 21, Uppsala, Sweden)

  • Jan Sundberg

    (Division of Electricity, Uppsala University, 751 21, Uppsala, Sweden)

Abstract

Freshwater scarcity is one of humanity’s reoccurring problems that hamper socio-economic development in many regions across the globe. In coastal areas, seawater can be desalinated through reverse osmosis (RO) and transformed into freshwater for human use. Desalination requires large amounts of energy, mostly in the form of a reliable electricity supply, which in many cases is supplied by diesel generators. The objective of this work is to analyze the wave power resource availability in Kilifi-Kenya and evaluate the possible use of wave power converter (WEC) to power desalination plants. A particular focus is given use of WECs developed by Uppsala University (UU-WEC). The results here presented were achieved using reanalysis—wave data revealed that the local wave climate has an approximate annual mean of 7 kW/m and mode of 5 kW/m. Significant wave height and wave mean period are within 0.8–2 m and 7–8 s respectively, with a predominant wave mean direction from southeast. The seasonal cycle appeared to be the most relevant for energy conversion, having the highest difference of 6 kW/m, in which April is the lowest (3.8 kW/m) and August is the peak (10.5 kW/m). In such mild wave climates, the UU–WEC and similar devices can be suitable for ocean energy harvesting for water desalination systems. Technically, with a capacity factor of 30% and energy consumption of 3 kWh/m 3 , a coastal community of about five thousand inhabitants can be provided of freshwater by only ten WECs with installed capacity of 20 kW.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:4:p:1004-:d:142273
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. Eugen Rusu & Vengatesan Venugopal, 2019. "Special Issue “Offshore Renewable Energy: Ocean Waves, Tides and Offshore Wind”," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-4, January.

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