Energy and economic comparative analysis of solar desalination for various regions in Mediterranean Sea Countries

V. Firfiris, A. Martzopoulou, M. Partalidou, M-L. Christou,
S. Kalamaras, V. Fragos and T.A. Kotsopoulos*

Lab. of Agricultural Structures and Equipment. Department of Agriculture,
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece

*Corresponding author: E-mail: mkotsop@agro.auth.gr, Tel +30 2310 991796

Abstract

Water scarcity is a major problem today throughout the globe. Much research have been conducted around water saving and management. One solution is the desalination process which has already been used with success in many regions and it can be realized with fully developed technological methods. In this study a theoretical analysis around the potential of solar desalination in various regions around Mediterranean Sea Countries was presented. The analysis was performed for regions which desalination plants are already operating, via conventional methods, as an alternative- more sustainable solution. The main subject of the study was to examine whether the difference between the climatic conditions can lead to a sufficiently different result. In the frame of the holistic approach of the problem an economic comparative analysis between the solar assisted desalination systems and the ones already operating was presented. The analysis includes the installation, operation and management cost and how the investment will be returned by the use of acceptable methods already used in the literature.

Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Enviromental Management, Engineering, Planning & Economics

Funding

This research has been co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union and Greek national funds through the Operational Program Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, under the call RESEARCH – CREATE – INNOVATE (project code: T1EDK-00100 – IRISS).