Techno-economic-environmental modeling, joint optimization, and sensitivity analysis of a combined water desalination-hybrid renewable supply system

Employing renewable resources, which act as an alternative energy source for desalination plants, has become one of the promising solutions for overcoming the water crisis. The various experimental, pilot, and research desalination projects powered by renewable resources have validated its practical feasibility in the past decade. An optimal planning scheme must be adopted to enhance these new resources' competitiveness in terms of cleanness, reliability, and affordability. Accordingly, this paper proposes a potable water production system based on water desalination. The desalination unit is supplied by a synergistic wind-PV system integrated with an electrical energy storage system and a water tank. Also, a diesel generator is considered for power production during periods of critical power production and power/water storage. The resultant air pollution is modeled and controlled to ensure the system's cleanliness. The size of the desalination unit, water tank, associated pumps, and power supply components are optimized simultaneously to ensure a minimum-cost plan. The proposed model exhibits linearity while preserving a predefined level of water supply reliability and a yearly emission cap. The model is implemented on a test case, and a comprehensive sensitivity analysis is performed to evaluate its effectiveness to obtain optimal results.

Automated summary

Using renewable resources as alternative energy sources for desalination plants is a promising solution for the water crisis. This paper proposes a potable water production system based on water desalination, utilizing a synergistic wind-PV system, electrical energy storage system, and water tank. By optimizing the size of the desalination unit and power supply components, the system aims to achieve cost-effectiveness while maintaining water supply reliability and emission limits.