DEmonstration of concentrated SOLar power coupled wIth advaNced desAlinaTion system in the gulf regION.

2026-07-22

The DESOLINATION project aims to couple efficiently the low grade wasted heat of two different CSP cycles to an innovative desalination system based on forward osmosis. Indeed, the demonstration in Saudi Arabia already hosts a 100kWe air Bryton cycle that will be coupled with the innovative forward osmosis desalination system developed in DESOLINATION. Moreover, to take into account the future and most efficient cycles, a 1MWe CO2 blends power cycle will be installed on site and demonstrated alongside the existing power plant. More than 2300 hours of testing are planed on site to assess the CSP and desalination technologies and optimise their efficiencies. DESOLINATION will thus provide solutions to be integrated in existing CSP plants across the region as well as an innovative more efficient coupling with a tailored made power cycle for more efficient and cost effective new CSP plants based on CO2 blends. Gathering 10 EU research centres or academic profiles, 6 EU companies with a deep knowledge of the market, and 4 academic partners from the GCC countries, DESOLINATION offers a balanced and high international level consortium, with excellent research capacities and a strong market uptake potential. DESOLINATION indeed aims to have market competitive solutions showing the potential for high wasted-heat-to-freshwater conversion efficiency as well as high CSP power efficiency (>42% at 550°C) leading to an LCOE below 90€/MWh and LCOW below 0.9€/m3 when scaled-up at 100MW scale. The reduction of CO2 emissions per cubic meter of water desalinated would be up to 70% compared to existing desalination systems. Moreover, brine rejection being a key environmental issue, DESOLINATION will also focus on developing solutions to decrease brine rejection by up to 80%. Through the developments of the CSP+D system and its demonstration in a real environment, DESOLINATION will foster the use of solar energy for desalination in the EU, in the GCC countries, and the rest of the world.

Italy

2025-10-15