THE MED-CSD PROJECT: POTENTIAL FOR CSP DESALINATION DEVELOPMENT IN MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRIES

Kurzfassung

Within the MED-CSD project feasibility studies of integrated hybrid Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) and Seawater Desalination (SD) plants were carried out in selected Mediterranean countries (Morocco, Italy, Cyprus, Palestinian National Authority and Egypt). After a review on CSP and desalination technologies, 10 typical locations within the 5 partner countries have been selected. For every location a CSP-desalination plant was modelled. The model bases on hourly time series of solar irradiance, ambient temperature and wind speed and includes local seasonal and hourly load curves for power and water. Surplus energy from the solar field is fed into thermal energy storage, so that operation is possible at night and during cloud transients; gaps between demand and solar power production are covered by co-firing with fossil fuel. Different plant configurations (solar field type, desalination technology) have been compared. In the subsequent step the results of the technical model have been evaluated in a techno-economic model to analyze the economic feasibility and the required financial frame conditions of the projects. Furthermore, an analysis of the market potential of concentrating solar power for sea water desalination in the Mediterranean Region and socioeconomic and environmental impact analysis were implemented.