The Water-Energy Nexus: Solutions towards Energy-Efficient Desalination

Global water shortages across all continents have led to the explosive practice of desalination. However, desalination is undeniably recognized as one of the most energy-intensive techniques for creating a clean and safe water supply. Cost reduction in different aspects is necessary to make desalination processes affordable and accessible. In fact, the cost of water from desalination facilities is momentously impacted by the energy requirements for water production. As the water production cost cannot be separated from the issue of energy, the desalination community is continuously seeking ways to reduce energy consumption further. Current research focuses on assessing and alleviating the major energy issues by finding ways to improve the energy efficiency of desalination facilities, which would pave the way for overall cost reduction. Improving the process and the efficiencies of materials implies improved water quality and an increase in the quantity produced per unit of energy consumed. This review highlights recent emerging approaches that aim to reduce the energy consumption and, hence, the water production cost of desalination technology. In brief, the advances made in membrane science and technology, the development of emerging desalination processes and their integrated systems, as well as the use of renewable energy and energy-recovery systems are recognized as effective and feasible solutions towards energy-efficient desalination to address the water crisis.