Feasibility of the concept of hybridization of existing co-generative plant with reverse osmosis and aquifer storage

This study considers the feasibility of hybridization of existing co-generation plant with reverse osmosis and aquifer storage. This hybrid system is characterized by the following technological, economic and strategic advantages: (1) increased range of variation of power to water ratio; (2) possibility to use seasonal surplus of unutilized power for production of additional quantity of water; (3) decreased specific CO2 emissions; (4) improved economic indicators of co-generative technology; (5) creation of strategic water reserve, etc.The proposed study focuses on comparison of conventional co-generative system representing the reference case with the hybrid innovative scheme. The conventional system consists of: (1) power-generating plant, (2) MSF-desalination system. The hybrid system includes (1) power-generating plant, (2) MSF-desalination, (3) RO desalination and (4) aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) technology. Unlike the reference case being based on the conventional systems, the hybrid scheme implies the concept where the seasonal surplus of available unutilized power-generating capacity is consumed by RO and seasonal excess of water accumulated withinunderground aquifer.Proposed study is based on the following assumptions: (1) available power generating capacity ranges from 80% to 100% of the maximum output being equal to 180 MW; (2) total available capacity of existing thermal desalination plant is 38 MGD; (3) seasonal variation of both water and power demand (within the range 100–60%) is considered in the model; and (4) specific energy consumption of projected RO is 6 kW h/m3.For the scenario based on co-generation system (180 MW to 38 MGD) operating at 80–100% of the maximum generating capacity, the following data obtained: (A) unutilized capacity of power plant is sufficient for production of 40–80 MGD by RO; (B) unconsumed water supposes to be accumulated within underground aquifer. Calculated rate of seasonal variation of aquifer recharge ranges between 50 and 80 MGD.