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Small-Scale Solar-Powered Desalination Plants: A Sustainable Alternative Water-Energy Nexus to Obtain Water for Chile’s Coastal Areas

Author

Listed:
  • Lorena Cornejo-Ponce

    (Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Tarapacá, Avda. General Velásquez 1775, Arica 1000007, Chile
    Laboratorio de Investigaciones Medioambientales de Zonas Áridas, LIMZA, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Tarapacá, Avda. General Velásquez 1775, Arica 1000007, Chile)

  • Patricia Vilca-Salinas

    (Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Tarapacá, Avda. General Velásquez 1775, Arica 1000007, Chile
    Laboratorio de Investigaciones Medioambientales de Zonas Áridas, LIMZA, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Tarapacá, Avda. General Velásquez 1775, Arica 1000007, Chile)

  • María Janet Arenas-Herrera

    (Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Tarapacá, Avda. General Velásquez 1775, Arica 1000007, Chile
    Laboratorio de Investigaciones Medioambientales de Zonas Áridas, LIMZA, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Tarapacá, Avda. General Velásquez 1775, Arica 1000007, Chile)

  • Claudia Moraga-Contreras

    (Escuela de Derecho, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Jurídicas, Universidad de Tarapacá, Cardenal Caro # 348, Arica 1010068, Chile)

  • Héctor Tapia-Caroca

    (Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Tarapacá, Avda. General Velásquez 1775, Arica 1000007, Chile
    Laboratorio de Investigaciones Medioambientales de Zonas Áridas, LIMZA, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Tarapacá, Avda. General Velásquez 1775, Arica 1000007, Chile)

  • Stavros Kukulis-Martínez

    (Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Tarapacá, Avda. General Velásquez 1775, Arica 1000007, Chile
    Laboratorio de Investigaciones Medioambientales de Zonas Áridas, LIMZA, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Tarapacá, Avda. General Velásquez 1775, Arica 1000007, Chile)

Abstract

The natural potential of Chile—solar energy and 8 km of coastline—make the implementation of small-scale reverse osmosis desalination plants (RODPs) in coastal areas energetically supported with photovoltaic systems (PVs) feasible. This work considers a survey of the plants in Chile. As a demonstration of a RODP, a technical/economic evaluation is carried out, analyzing four possible cases in which different energy configurations are proposed: electric grid, diesel generator, and photovoltaic systems, without or with batteries. Finally, the challenges and opportunities of these plants are presented. The results obtained indicate that there are 39 plants in operation, which produce an average permeate water flow of Qp 1715 m 3 d −1 . Solar Explorer, and Homer Pro software are used for a plant that generates 8 m 3 day −1 of permeate water, resulting in the conclusion that Case 3 is the most economically viable, as it has a useful life of 20 years and will have an annual solar contribution of more than 65%. The levelized cost of water production is 0.56 USDm −3 (RODP/PV) and 0.02 USDkW −1 h −1 was obtained for the LCOE. Finally, this case contributes to the mitigation of climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Lorena Cornejo-Ponce & Patricia Vilca-Salinas & María Janet Arenas-Herrera & Claudia Moraga-Contreras & Héctor Tapia-Caroca & Stavros Kukulis-Martínez, 2022. "Small-Scale Solar-Powered Desalination Plants: A Sustainable Alternative Water-Energy Nexus to Obtain Water for Chile’s Coastal Areas," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-38, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:23:p:9245-:d:995275
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhang, Xiaodong & Vesselinov, Velimir V., 2016. "Energy-water nexus: Balancing the tradeoffs between two-level decision makers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 77-87.
    2. Molinos-Senante, María & González, Diego, 2019. "Evaluation of the economics of desalination by integrating greenhouse gas emission costs: An empirical application for Chile," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 1327-1337.
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    4. Kabeel, A.E. & Hamed, A.M. & El-Agouz, S.A., 2010. "Cost analysis of different solar still configurations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(7), pages 2901-2908.
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