Energy options for brackish groundwater desalination in Western Australia

The desalination of brackish groundwater in Western Australia is seen as an opportunity to increase agricultural production and to provide clean water for remote communities. This paper presents a feasibility study of a stand-alone hybrid system of solar PV, wind turbine, battery storage and diesel generator to power up a desalination plant in various locations in Western Australia. A detailed analysis, simulation models and optimisation procedures of the proposed system across brackish groundwater basins in WA and in remote communities are presented. The results of our analysis indicate that adding renewable generation and battery storage is generally the most economic design for supplying a water desalination plant in the selected study areas, compared with conventional diesel-only generators. The levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) ranges from $ 0.12 / kWh to $ 0.375 / kWh at a supply-reliability level of 99.9 % in the given locations in WA, while the LCOE of diesel-only generators for a flat load of 100 kW for 30 years varies between $0.45/kWh and $0.74/kWh for a range of fuel costs. • Analysis of energy options for brackish groundwater desalination in Western Australia • Evaluation of energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness of technologies • Comparative assessment of two locations demonstrating the impact of strategic site selection • Recommendations for renewable energy integration with desalination