Integration of desalination systems in central receiver solar thermal plants and brine reuse for macroalgae production (SOLDESALBIO)

The SOLDESALBIO project is a coordinated project between two institutions: CIEMAT-PSA (subproject 1), and the University of Almería (subproject 2). The main objective of this project is to advance the Energy-Water-Food nexus by evaluating an innovative CSP + D + B scheme (Concentrated Solar Power, Desalination, and Biotechnology) that integrates renewable energy technologies (a CSP plant based on a solar mini-tower system with Thermal and Compressed Air Energy Storage to increase solar operation hours) with desalination systems (Reverse Osmosis and Thermal Desalination) and macroalgae production. This novel system aims to achieve zero carbon emissions and minimum environmental impact for the combined production of freshwater, energy, and macroalgae biomass.

To this end, the project proposes: a) the experimental characterization of the operation of two pilot plants, one located at the Plataforma Solar de Almería (PSA, www.psa.es) (subproject 1) and another at the University of Almería (subproject 2); b) the physics-based modeling of the components that make up the overall CSP + D + B plant, some of which will be validated and calibrated with experimental data; c) the optimization of the system’s operation to maximize performance and resource utilization; d) the analysis, feasibility, and scalability of the CSP + D + B system in different geographical and market contexts; and e) the integration of the validated models into a comprehensive simulation tool capable of predicting the annual performance of the CSP + D + B system under variable conditions.