Potential of renewable energy development for water desalination in Tunisia

Abstract

Potential renewable energy sources, which can be harnessed toward brackish and seawater desalination in Tunisia, have been evaluated. These sources of energy, mainly: solar, wind and geothermal, have been identified throughout the country and their suitability for coupling with different desalting technologies have been investigated. Renewable energies are expected to have a flourishing future and an important role in the domain of brackish and seawater desalination. Of special interest, are small desalination plants which can be operated with small quantities of energy. Small-scale renewable energy driven desalination plants might be the most economical solution for providing portable water to remote and isolated communities where the electric grid and the proper infrastructure are lacking. By exploiting renewable energies for fresh water production, three main problems can be addressed: fresh water scarcity, fossil energy depletion and environmental degradation due to gas emissions and hydrocarbon pollution.