Feasibility study of grid-connected photovoltaic system for seawater desalination station in Algeria

Abstract

This study expounds how a reverse osmosis desalination system coupled to a photovoltaic system connected to the grid (hybrid PV-Grid) can be a sustainable option in satisfying the increasing fresh water demand in Algeria and worldwide. A feasibility analysis of the technical, economic and environmental potential of the grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) energy system to electrify seawater desalination station in Algeria is investigated. A seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination station of Zeralda (Algiers) is selected as a case study. The assessment criteria for our study comprised net present cost (NPC), cost of energy (COE) and energy balance criteria (EB). Moreover, sensitivity analyses of the global solar radiation, the interest rate, the PV capital multiplier and the PV module efficiency parameter on the optimal hybrid energy system configuration were carried out. The results demonstrate that the hybrid grid-connected PV system has the potential to supply a significant power for seawater desalination station with COE of 0.102 $/kWh. Moreover, the PV production of the optimal hybrid configuration has resulted in 67% of renewable fraction (RF), and an annual reduction of 34.9 tons in the CO2 emissions.