ABSTRACT
This contribution presents results of the design, set-up and operation of wind energy converter (WEC) reverse osmosis (RO) sea water desalination plants. An innovative, modular concept of combined WEC-RO sea water desalination plants has been developed which is based on WECs of various sizes and RO units with various numbers of identical standard RO blocks. The design of the RO blocks allows for operation at fluctuating water flow and pressure and facilitates them switching on and off while reducing the specific electricity consumption of the RO process.
The prototype plant has been installed in Spain within the framework of the PRODESAL project. Two modular pilot plants have been installed within the frame-work of this project, representing the present upper and lower size limit of the concept: one on the island of Syros, Greece, which combines an ENERCON E-40 500kW WEC with an RO unit with 8 RO blocks, and one on Tenerife, Spain, which combines an ENERCON E-12 30kW WEC and a single RO block. All plants have been operated in autonomous and grid-connected operation mode. The achieved water quality is good and the energy efficiency of the RO unit very high. To the authors knowledge, this operation experience is the first worldwide with such advanced WEC-RO sea water desalination plants.
The presented development is a contribution for combating water supply deficits with clean and environmentally friendly technology at competitive costs, and is particularly relevant for islands and remote sites, e.g. in the mediterranean area, but also outside Europe.
