Long term analysis of small desalination plant for potable water supply of tourist areas (in Sicily)

Abstract

The main aim of this work is to gain information on the working conditions of a desalination plant in Sicily, on the costs of produced desalinated water and on the perspectives of new plants to be built in the island, in order to evaluate the long term performance of a desalination plant in a small island for potable water supply. At the same time, because the high operational costs, the work tries to provide green power alternatives for the plant as well. As a pilot we will consider the Lipari Island which has a MED-MVC (Multiple Effect Distillation- Mechanical Vapor Compression) plant. It is important to underline that even though the pilot refers to a Sicilian Island, the developed procedure/methodologies can be extended to each Mediterranean island.