Water desalination is of paramount importance in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region due to its arid climate and limited freshwater resources. With growing populations and increasing water demands, desalination plants play a crucial role in providing a sustainable and reliable source of freshwater for drinking, agriculture, and industrial use, helping to alleviate water scarcity and ensure socioeconomic development in the region.
Renewable solar energy, particularly hybrid systems combining Concentrated Solar Power with Photovoltaic technology, can revolutionize water desalination and purification in this region. Combining CSP+PV with Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Multi-Effect Distillation (MED) technologies offer the advantage of continuous energy (Electricity + Heat) generation and could enhance desalination efficiency and reduce energy consumption. it’s estimated that the integration of this hybrid system can reduce desalinated water production costs by approximately 25% to 40%.
On a next level, by leveraging the abundance of solar energy available in MENA coastal areas, solar dome concept offers a sustainable means of producing potable water without relying on fossil fuels or grid-based electricity. In which, enclosed within a transparent dome structure, the water boils due to high amount of thermal energy reflected from mirrors facing solar radiation. The steam is subsequently condensed into freshwater, leaving behind salt and other impurities. Moreover, the modular design of solar domes allows for scalability and flexibility, enabling deployment in diverse geographical locations to address localized water scarcity challenges.