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Desalination of Seawater using Geothermal Energy to Meet Future Fresh Water Demand of Saudi Arabia

Author

Listed:
  • D. Chandrasekharam

    (Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
    King Saud University
    GeoSyndicate Power Pvt. Ltd)

  • A. Lashin

    (Benha University
    King Saud University)

  • N. Arifi

    (King Saud University)

  • A. Bassam

    (King Saud University)

  • C. Varun

    (GeoSyndicate Power Pvt. Ltd)

Abstract

The future economy of the Middle East countries (GDP growth) depends on the availability of fresh water for domestic and agricultural sectors. Saudi Arabia, for example, consumes 275 L/day per capita of water that is generated from desalination process using 134 x 106 kWh of electricity. With 6 % population growth rate, demand for fresh water from fossil fuel based desalination plants will grow at an alarming rate. It has been reported that Saudi Arabia’s reliance on fossil fuels to generate electricity and generate fresh water through desalination using the same energy source is economically and politically unsustainable. This may lead to destabilisation of the global economy. However, Saudi Arabia has large geothermal resources along the Red Sea coast that can be developed to generate power and support the generation of fresh water through desalination. The cost of fresh water can be further lowered from the current US$ 0.03/m3. Among the gulf countries, Saudi Arabia can become the leader in controlling CO2 emissions and mitigating the impact on climate change and agricultural production. This will enable the country to meet the growing demand of food and energy for the future population for several decades and to reduce food imports.

Suggested Citation

  • D. Chandrasekharam & A. Lashin & N. Arifi & A. Bassam & C. Varun, 2017. "Desalination of Seawater using Geothermal Energy to Meet Future Fresh Water Demand of Saudi Arabia," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 31(3), pages 781-792, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:waterr:v:31:y:2017:i:3:d:10.1007_s11269-016-1419-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s11269-016-1419-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ghaffour, Noreddine & Lattemann, Sabine & Missimer, Thomas & Ng, Kim Choon & Sinha, Shahnawaz & Amy, Gary, 2014. "Renewable energy-driven innovative energy-efficient desalination technologies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 1155-1165.
    2. Taleb, Hanan M. & Sharples, Steve, 2011. "Developing sustainable residential buildings in Saudi Arabia: A case study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(1), pages 383-391, January.
    3. Sarbatly, Rosalam & Chiam, Chel-Ken, 2013. "Evaluation of geothermal energy in desalination by vacuum membrane distillation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 737-746.
    4. Ahmad, Ali & Ramana, M.V., 2014. "Too costly to matter: Economics of nuclear power for Saudi Arabia," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 682-694.
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    Cited by:

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