A systematic study on geothermal energy integrated water desalination: challenges and opportunities
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Rapid urbanization and climate change add to the already increasing worldwide problem of freshwater scarcity, which calls for innovative solutions for sustainable water generation. This work offers a systematic examination of integrating geothermal energy with water desalination to minimize water shortages and lower environmental effects. The novelty of this work is in its thorough assessment of the combined Multi-Effect Evaporation (MEE) and Multi-Effect Distillation (MED) systems driven by geothermal energy, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional desalination methods. The approach involves a comprehensive analysis of current geothermal desalination systems, including thermodynamic studies, performance assessments, and economic feasibility studies. Compared to conventional fossil-fuel-based approaches, the key findings show that geothermal-driven desalination significantly reduces energy consumption and operational costs while enhancing freshwater production. Furthermore, the research emphasizes the possibility of solar-geothermal hybrid systems for increasing efficiency in areas with high water demand. Geothermal energy-powered desalination also lowers operational costs by about 30 %; hybrid solar-geothermal systems can improve efficiency by as much as 20 % in areas with high solar irradiance. Related readings imply that using geothermal energy for desalination could be quite important for long-term sustainability by lowering carbon emissions and decreasing reliance on non-renewable resources. This paper offers an insightful analysis of strategies to optimize desalination techniques for environmentally sustainable freshwater production.
Source: Unconventional Resources
Authors: Mayank Kalsariya, Aanya Shah, Swara Patel, Shiv Mandlik, Rajdeep Raulji, Dev Shah, Mitul Prajapati, Manan Shah
Institution: Pandit Deendayal Energy University
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4412774299