Analysis of Domestic and International Desalination to Outline the Decision Making Landscape for Implementation and Operation of Desalination Plants in the United States
Authors
Alex J. Beaudoin, Shaun J. Bonefas, Ian Robert Jacoway, Allison L. Marx
Sponsor
United States Department of Energy
Advisors
Fred J. Looft, Brigitte Servatius
Term
October – December 2015
Project Outcomes
Abstract
The aim of this project was to provide the Department of Energy with the decision making landscape associated with the implementation and operation of desalination. We identified a group of 11 domestic and 9 international desalination plants that reflected the global range of desalination. Important characteristics were sorted into categories for comparison. In addition to the categorized information, relevant data and explanations were included in additional paragraphs to capture each plant’s uniqueness. After comparing the plants, patterns in site selection, operational process, and common barriers were identified; example patterns include site selection rationale, technology used, and commissioning; operational status of plants post-completion, and optimization of energy consumption.