Optimization of desalted water production in a poligeneration scheme for the tourist sector

The energy and economic analysis of the scheme shows that nowadays thermodynamic (energy) and economic optimums are yet quite far, since process integration is always profitable from the point of view of energy efficiency but not always from Economics. However, last figures could be improved if water, electricity and natural gas prices are not taken from Spanish regulatory framework. Furthermore, if future CO2 emissions reduction is taken into account, plant profitability could be increased even more. Anyway, the economic results obtained for water are quite encouraging for the future of those schemes to solve the water and energy scarcity in Mediterranean and other highly-populated and/or tourist areas.