Hybrid Solar-Wind Powered Reverse Osmosis Desalination System for Coastal Community Water Supply

Abstract

Freshwater scarcity in coastal regions has intensified the demand for sustainable desalination technologies capable of providing reliable potable water with minimal environmental impact. This study presents a hybrid solar-wind powered reverse osmosis desalination system designed for coastal community water supply applications. The proposed system integrates renewable solar and wind energy sources with reverse osmosis desalination technology to achieve energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable freshwater production under varying climatic and operational conditions. A comprehensive experimental and simulation-based investigation was conducted to evaluate the influence of renewable energy availability, feedwater salinity, membrane operating pressure, flow rate, and energy storage configuration on desalination performance and system reliability. The hybrid renewable energy framework was developed to ensure continuous operation by balancing intermittent solar and wind power generation through optimized energy management strategies. Performance analysis demonstrated significant improvements in freshwater production efficiency, energy utilization, and operational stability compared to conventional fossil-fuel-powered desalination systems. The reverse osmosis subsystem exhibited high salt rejection efficiency and stable permeate quality suitable for domestic and community water supply requirements. Furthermore, the integration of renewable energy sources substantially reduced greenhouse gas emissions, operational costs, and dependency on centralized power infrastructure. Comparative evaluation indicated enhanced sustainability and resilience of the hybrid desalination system under dynamic environmental conditions commonly encountered in coastal regions.