Marine Current Energy Converters to Power a Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant

Jennifer Leijon, Johan Forslund, Karin Thomas and Cecilia Boström
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Jennifer Leijon: Division of Electricity, Uppsala University, 751 05 Uppsala, Sweden
Johan Forslund: Division of Electricity, Uppsala University, 751 05 Uppsala, Sweden
Karin Thomas: Division of Electricity, Uppsala University, 751 05 Uppsala, Sweden
Cecilia Boström: Division of Electricity, Uppsala University, 751 05 Uppsala, Sweden

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 11, 1-13

Abstract: Some countries are facing issues on freshwater and electricity production, which can be addressed with the use of renewable energy powered desalination systems. In the following study, a reverse osmosis desalination plant powered by marine current energy converters is suggested. The marine current energy converters are designed at Uppsala University in Sweden, specifically for utilizing low water speeds (1–2 m/s). Estimations on freshwater production for such a system, in South Africa, facing the Indian Ocean was presented and discussed. It is concluded that the desalination plant cannot by itself supply freshwater for a population all the time, due to periods of too low water speeds (<1 m/s), but for 75% of the time. By using ten marine current energy converters, each with a nominal power rating of 7.5 kW, combined with a reverse osmosis desalination plant and water storage capacity of 2800 m 3 , it is possible to cover the basic freshwater demand of 5000 people. More studies on the hydrokinetic resource of the Western Indian Ocean, system cost, technology development, environmental and social aspects are necessary for more accurate results.

Keywords: marine current- tidal energy converters; hydro-kinetic energy; desalination; freshwater production; renewable energy; western Indian Ocean (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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