ABSTRACT
Due to high energy consumption, the installation of desalination plants in isolated regions with no electricity grid available and difficulties in fossil fuel supply frequently requires renewable energy sources. Thus, renewable energy-powered desalination (RE-DES) is the only option for some rural communities and hence the importance of further developing such technologies. Promotion of large-capacity desalination plants driven, either totally or partially, by renewable energies is essential to the sustainability of freshwater production. The retrofit of existing reverse osmosis (RO) plants through incorporation of a renewable energy source could be a key idea in avoiding electrical consumption from the grid during peak hours. The selection of candidate desalination technologies mainly depends on: the raw water resource available, either seawater or brackish water; the renewable energy sources available; and the freshwater demand. When it comes to the selection of RE-DES technologies, this depends on the renewable energy source(s) available. The following options should be considered: geothermal energy; wind energy; and solar energy,.
