Analyzing the Energy Consumption, GHG Emission, and Cost of Seawater Desalination in China

Abstract

Seawater desalination is considered a technique with high water supply potential and has become an emerging alternative for freshwater supply in China. The increase of the capacity also increases energy consumption and greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, which has not been well investigated in studies. This study has analyzed the current development of seawater desalination in China, including the capacity, distribution, processes, as well as the desalted water use. Energy consumption and GHG emissions of overall desalination in China, as well as for the provinces, are calculated covering the period of 2006–2016. The unit product cost of seawater desalination plants specifying processes is also estimated. The results showed that 1) The installed capacity maintained increased from 2006 to 2016, and reverse osmosis is the major process used for seawater desalination in China. 2) The energy consumption increased from 81 MWh/y to 1,561 MWh/y during the 11 years. The overall GHG emission increase from 85 Mt CO2eq/y to 1,628 Mt CO2eq/y. Tianjin had the largest GHG emissions, following are Hebei and Shandong, with emissions of 4.1 Mt CO2eq/y, 2.2 Mt CO2eq/y. and 1.0 Mt CO2eq/y. 3) The unit product cost of seawater desalination is higher than other water supply alternatives, and it differentiates the desalination processes. The average unit product cost of the reverse osmosis process is 0.96 USD and 2.5 USD for the multiple-effect distillation process. The potential for future works should specify different energy forms, e.g. heat and power. Alternatives of process integration should be investigated—e.g. efficiency of using the energy, heat integration, and renewables in water desalination, as well as the utilization of total site heat integration.

A Study on the Limitations of South Korea’s National Roadmap for Greenhouse Gas Reduction by 2030 and Suggestions for Improvement

“…This study also proposed improved methodology associated with the establishment of GHG emission factors and energy consumption to better estimate target emission levels. To address the absence of data related to target emission levels by year, a study was conducted on methodology for presenting target amounts through estimation of energy consumption [13].…”

“…emission factors and energy consumption to better estimate target emission levels. To address the absence of data related to target emission levels by year, a study was conducted on methodology for presenting target amounts through estimation of energy consumption [13]. Second, because the methods of GHG reduction that South Korea announced are unclear, methodology for deriving a reduction method according to the purpose of energy use was proposed for selection of a reduction method [14,15].…”

How to Close the Gap of Desalinated Seawater for Agricultural Irrigation? Confronting Attitudes between Managers and Farmers in Alicante and Murcia (Spain)

“…Source: own elaboration from the questionnaires. Notes: 1 Petition was on 1986; 2 Latest statutes in 2015; 3 Although the first irrigation campaign with desalinated water was in 1979 with the arrival of the TST; 4 This surface increases until 3515 ha (taking into account the surface currently occupied by the industrial park); 5 This surface is reduced to 32,000 in a dry period; 6 Part of this surface (12,620 ha) corresponds to traditional irrigation (unregulated); 7 Some farms up to 200-300 ha; 8 Some farms up to 400 ha; 9 Some farms up to 40-50 ha; 10 Professional farmer: 20 ha, with 7-8 large fruit and vegetable companies (25-30 ha each one); 11 Some farms up to 50-100 ha; 12 One horticultural company uses 800 ha and a fruit company, about 300 ha; 13 Some horticultural companies up to 150 ha; 14 Vegetables include lettuce, broccoli, artichoke, cauliflower, tomatoes, celery, potato, onion, and pepper; while fruits include citrus, melon, watermelon, grape, and mango.…”

“…The worldwide population relying on desalinated seawater is expected to increase from 7.5% of the world population in 2015, to a projected 18% in 2050 [10]. Furthermore, in the last six years, the world total water desalination capacity, including brackish water and seawater desalination, increased steadily with an annual rate of about 9% [11]. Likewise, the global production capacity of desalinated seawater is expected to double by 2040 [12].…”

Towards Efficient and Clean Process Integration: Utilisation of Renewable Resources and Energy-Saving Technologies

“…Some technologies rely on membranes-for instance, this is the case with some installations in Jordan [106]. The strength of the links and their correlations to energy consumption and GHG emissions have been evaluated by Jia et al [107]. The authors presented an overview of the seawater desalination developments in China and evaluated the annual energy consumption, GHG emissions, and cost of seawater desalination plants from 2006 to 2016.…”