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The Energy-Water Nexus: Spatially-Resolved Analysis of the Potential for Desalinating Brackish Groundwater by Use of Solar Energy

Author

Listed:
  • Jill B. Kjellsson

    (Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 204 E. Dean Keeton St. Stop C2200, Austin, TX 78712, USA)

  • Michael E. Webber

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 204 E. Dean Keeton St. Stop C2200, Austin, TX 78712, USA)

Abstract

This research looks at coupling desalination with renewable energy sources to create a high-value product (treated water) from two low value resources (brackish groundwater and intermittent solar energy). Desalination of brackish groundwater is already being considered as a potential new water supply in Texas. This research uses Texas as a testbed for spatially-resolved analysis techniques while considering depth to brackish groundwater, water quality, and solar radiation across Texas to determine the locations with the best potential for integrating solar energy with brackish groundwater desalination. The framework presented herein can be useful for policymakers, regional planners, and project developers as they consider where to site desalination facilities coupled with solar photovoltaics. Results suggest that the northwestern region of Texas—with abundant sunshine and groundwater at relatively shallow depths and low salinity in areas with freshwater scarcity—has the highest potential for solar powered desalination. The range in capacity for solar photovoltaic powered reverse osmosis desalination was found to be 1.56 × 10 —6 to 2.93 × 10 —5 cubic meters of water per second per square meter of solar panel (m3/s/m2).

Suggested Citation

  • Jill B. Kjellsson & Michael E. Webber, 2015. "The Energy-Water Nexus: Spatially-Resolved Analysis of the Potential for Desalinating Brackish Groundwater by Use of Solar Energy," Resources, MDPI, vol. 4(3), pages 1-14, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jresou:v:4:y:2015:i:3:p:476-489:d:51831
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Al-Karaghouli, Ali & Renne, David & Kazmerski, Lawrence L., 2010. "Technical and economic assessment of photovoltaic-driven desalination systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(2), pages 323-328.
    2. Mary E. Clayton & Ashlynn S. Stillwell & Michael E. Webber, 2014. "Implementation of Brackish Groundwater Desalination Using Wind-Generated Electricity: A Case Study of the Energy-Water Nexus in Texas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(2), pages 1-21, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. David D. J. Antia, 2016. "ZVI (Fe 0 ) Desalination: Stability of Product Water," Resources, MDPI, vol. 5(1), pages 1-47, March.
    2. Catherine I. Birney & Michael C. Jones & Michael E. Webber, 2019. "A Spatially Resolved Thermodynamic Assessment of Geothermal Powered Multi-Effect Brackish Water Distillation in Texas," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-20, April.
    3. John Luczaj, 2016. "Groundwater Quantity and Quality," Resources, MDPI, vol. 5(1), pages 1-4, February.
    4. Ram Avtar & Saurabh Tripathi & Ashwani Kumar Aggarwal & Pankaj Kumar, 2019. "Population–Urbanization–Energy Nexus: A Review," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-21, July.

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