Case Study: Masdar Renewable Energy Water Desalination Program

Abstract

In 2013, Masdar launched a renewable energy desalination pilot program to research and develop energy-efficient, cost-competitive desalination technologies that are suitable to be powered by renewable energy. The long-term goal is to implement renewable energy-powered desalination plants in the United Arab Emirates, as well as the wider MENA region and to have a commercial scale facility operating by 2020. Through a competitive tender, four commercial partners—Abengoa, Suez, Sidem/Veolia and Trevi Systems—were selected to support the development of the program. Each of them was to develop and operate a next-generation pilot seawater desalination plant. The four plants are to test a range of innovative approaches in boosting operational efficiency. The program consists of two stages:

• Pilot phase (2013–2016): Based in Ghantoot, Abu Dhabi, the commercial partners constructed four small-scale desalination pilot plants. They are to operate continuously for at least 18 months. The performance of the plants will be assessed, rigorously monitored and tested by Masdar.

• Implementation and development (after 2017): Scaling-up of technologies that meet predefined criteria as commercially viable, large-scale seawater desalination plants. The plants will be entirely powered by renewables.

The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology conducts four research projects that operate alongside and, in addition to, the pilot program. The desalination project is sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Government, with co-funding provided by the industry partners. Masdar is leading the project management and coordinating the program with the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA), Regulation & Supervision Bureau (RSB), Environment Agency—Abu Dhabi (EAD), and Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company (ADSSC).