Improving the Quality of Life in Arid Areas with a System for Generating Electricity and Fresh Water
Jonas Kim/Pixabay
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In parts of the world where water is increasingly scarce, it is crucial to establish effective and sustainable systems for energy and water supply. The interdisciplinary project PV-W2WFresh is changing the way we think about solar energy and water scarcity, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 6 and 7) by promoting clean energy and water availability in rural and underserved regions. This cutting-edge research combines concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) technology with an innovative evaporation desalination process, creating a system that not only generates electricity but also provides a continuous source of clean drinking water.
This solution is especially effective in regions with arid climates, where both energy and water are limited. By integrating these two essential processes, the project's goal is to improve the quality of life for millions of people living in arid areas, such as Egypt, where 93% of the land is undeveloped, and access to clean water remains a critical issue.
The project carried out by researcher Dr. Abdallah Yousef M. Ali from Aswan University in Egypt, under the supervision of Associate Professor Dr. Primož Poredoš from the Laboratory for Environmental Technologies in Buildings at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, as part of the EUTOPIA-SIF MSCA COFUND project, focuses on improving the efficiency and lifespan of concentrated photovoltaic systems in hot climates. The innovative system combines low-concentrated photovoltaic cells with a desalination unit that uses waste heat from air conditioning systems to power the desalination process. This approach significantly reduces energy loss, increases overall efficiency, and offers a practical solution for regions facing energy and water challenges.
Technically, the system features a novel heat utilization design for desalination with a membrane distillation unit, replacing the traditional photovoltaic backplate with channels for cooling feed water. This innovation significantly improves heat transfer, ensuring that concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) cells maintain optimal performance even in extremely hot conditions. The desalination unit operates continuously, converting low-quality waste heat from air conditioning units and solar energy from photovoltaic cells—energy that would otherwise be lost—into fresh water. The project aims to significantly increase efficiency, with the potential to produce 100 liters of fresh water and generate 15 kilowatts of electricity per square meter of incoming solar radiation. Additionally, the system is scalable and adaptable, making it an ideal solution for rural locations throughout Egypt and Europe, where energy and water resources are scarce.
The project not only represents the production of clean water and electricity but also sets a new standard in sustainable engineering. The integration of membrane distillation technology enables comparable water output to conventional reverse osmosis systems, particularly in off-grid rural areas that lack access to high-pressure water systems. With its potential for wide application, the PV-W2WFresh system could play a key role in addressing global energy and water shortages. The research not only provides immediate benefits to rural and arid regions but also contributes to broader sustainability efforts aligned with the European Union’s 2018 Renewable Energy Directive and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Successful development and deployment of this technology could lead to a significant reduction in water and energy costs, making it crucial for off-grid communities and developing countries.
