Electricity and Water Desalination: Separate Sites Offer Value

Abstract

For the fuel type and water situation in the Middle East, the case is strong for the use of combined cycle technology for power generation and reverse osmosis for potable water production, where each are sited for their maximum economic benefit and interconnected by electric power transmission. Because of the fuel efficiency of Combined Cycle generation technology, its use of liquid/gas fuels and its low need for cooling water, it can be optimized for cost away from cities. Conversely, water desalination by reverse osmosis can be sited in optimal locations to take advantage of its modularity and to minimize water pipeline needs. Electric power transmission provides an inexpensive and flexible means to connect these two technologies. Together these technologies may offer an overall minimum cost approach, better than the combining of electric power and water desalination at one location, where power to water ratios must be fixed, independent of need, for optimum efficiency. The use of reverse osmosis with power generation has other, important ancillary benefits over using distillation and power combinations. These advantages include abatement of environmental pollution, delivery of potable water at reasonable drinking temperatures, lower total energy consumption, more efficient land use and less demanding operator skills.