Reverse osmosis desalination powered by a photovoltaic system can potentially break the dependence of conventional desalination. This can reduce operation costs of the system as well as improve environmental sustainability. This thesis project presents a study on grid connected and stand-alone photovoltaic systems to provide the required electricity for
providing fresh water to a golf course located near a luxury hotel resort in Agadir, Morocco. This site requires a high quantity of fresh water for grass spraying systems. The design steps of the suggested system are carried out such that the site radiation data and two different scenarios for the electrical load distribution have been analyzed in the considered site are taken into account during the design simulation. Also, a techno-economic analysis is conducted to assess the economic viability of the system.
The main simulation tool to be used in this thesis is HOMER (Hybrid Optimization Modeling Electric Renewables) developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in the United States of America. HOMER is a simulation tool designed to optimize the size of energy systems for defined boundary conditions. The optimization is based on economic figures such as the Net Present Cost (NPC). This tool helps to find the least cost combination of components. HOMER can be applied to a number of system designs such as on grid, off-grid. A sensitivity analysis of different parameters have also been studied such as PV capital cost per kW, and finally the escalation rate of diesel price.
The main conclusion, that the capital cost of the photovoltaic system with the reverse osmosis desalination unit is at the moment high. This case study becomes competitive with the other hybrid alternativ.