Work

Performance enhancement and integrating renewable energy into reverse osmosis seawater desalination system in the Moroccan coastal region

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study investigates the energy consumption and environmental challenges of the Phosboucraa seawater desalination plant in Laayoune, southern Morocco, used as a work-study to explore strategies for enhancing energy efficiency, carbon mitigation and sustainability. The plant, which produces 4,000 m 3 /day of fresh water for phosphate washing, currently operates at a high energy demand of approximately 8 kWh/m 3 . To address these challenges, four strategic scenarios were evaluated: the implementation of Pressure Exchanger (PX) technology, Ultrafiltration (UF), a single sand filter type, and the integration of renewable energy sources into the desalination process. Key findings indicate that PX technology significantly reduced energy consumption to 2.8 kWh/m 3 , while UF pretreatment provided a balanced outcome with a permeate flow rate of 78.62 m 3 /h at 2.88 kWh/m 3 . The single trilayer sand filter scenario achieved the highest permeate flow rate of 82.18 m 3 /h, but at a higher energy consumption of 3.01 kWh/m 3 . The optimal hybrid renewable energy system, comprising a 233 kW Photovoltaic (PV) panel, two 1,500 kW wind turbines (WTs), a 965 kW converter, a 2,100 kW diesel generator, and 3,963 batteries, achieved the lowest Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) at 0.194 $/kWh and the lowest Net Present Cost (NPC) of 21.9 million $, with a renewable fraction of approximately 80.5%. The integration of renewable energy sources led to a substantial reduction in CO 2 emissions, decreasing by approximately 80% compared to conventional diesel-powered operations. Future work will focus on integrating battery storage and developing intelligent control mechanisms to improve system stability and reliability, making hybrid desalination systems a key solution for water security in energy-resource-rich coastal regions.

Source: Cleaner Engineering and Technology

DOI: 10.1016/j.clet.2025.101017

Authors: Otman Abida, Hanane Ait Lahoussine Ouali, Nouhaila Belkaid, Mohamed Essalhi, Emil Obeid, Nisar Ali

Institutions: Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique, American University of the Middle East

Language: English

Topic: Membrane Separation Technologies

Subfield: Water Science and Technology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Affordable and clean energy, Responsible consumption and production, Climate action, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,220