Abstract

Solar-thermal desalination technologies could provide a sustainable path toward achieving high-volume (millions of gallons per day) desalted water in remote and inland regions. Yet, efficient integration between solar capture and desalination remains a critical challenge. Integration challenges are accentuated when exploring solar-thermal technologies such as concentrating solar, due to the temperature mismatch, which often exists between solar capture and conversion technologies and desalination technologies. Here, we highlight the potential opportunities for large- scale solar-thermal desalination plants. We also identify the critical metrics of success that are necessary for large-scale solar-thermal desalination plants. Furthermore, we evaluate and detail how performance and cost can be agumented through hybridizing desalination systems by using exergy cascade utilization principals.