Abstract

Decarbonizing desalination systems requires combiningrenewableenergy technologies with desalination systems. Solar thermal desalination,which combines a thermal desalination system (e.g., distillation,multistage flash, etc.) with a concentrated solar system is attractivein geographic regions with an abundance of saline water and solarenergy. However, the high economic cost and low efficiency limitsits adoption. This review provides an overview of the techno-economic,materials, and performance challenges that need to be overcome torealize solar-desalination. The review describes the four most prominentpathways for overcoming thermodynamic and cost limitations presentin current systems. Specifically, methodologies and approaches suchas direct solar evaporation structures, low-cost thermal energy storage,solar cogeneration schemes for power and desalination, and solar hybriddesalination are discussed. These strategies can enable solar thermaldesalination technologies that are resilient to intermittent solarenergy.