A renewable smart IoT-based water desalination system: A validated Kuwaiti case study

• Problem Context • Kuwait is among the most water-stressed nations, with 92% of its supply from desalination. • Conventional desalination is energy-intensive (3–10 kWh/m³) and environmentally harmful. This paper presents the design and validation of a renewable, IoT-enabled portable water desalination system for off-grid deployment in water-scarce environments like Kuwait. The system uses a three-stage treatment process of mechanical filtration, reverse osmosis, and UV disinfection, powered by photovoltaic solar energy. Embedded sensors monitor water quality parameters including TDS, pH, temperature, and tank level, with data displayed locally and through a mobile application. Field validation showed a production rate of 10 liters per 0.84 hours, with average output values of TDS = 139 ppm and pH = 7.8, meeting drinking water standards. Sensors showed less than 1% error versus calibrated meters. The system achieves 17.4% solar efficiency with a 200 Wh daily energy surplus for auxiliary electronics. Scalability analysis revealed improved efficiency at larger scales, with LCW decreasing from 0.013 K.D./L for household systems to 0.009 K.D./L for semi-industrial configurations. Cost analysis indicates $0.039-0.089 (K.D. 0.012-0.027) per liter, demonstrating feasibility for household use. The system provides a validated and cost-efficient solution for decentralized freshwater access, combining renewable energy and mobile monitoring.