The scope of the project comprises de-central co-generation of electricity and water close to the point of consumption in remote arid MPC regions. It is planed to obtain capacities up to few hundred kW power and up to one hundred m³ water per day from brackish water, where hybrid energy supply from fossil (gas-oil, natural gas) and renewable (solar and wind) sources are combined. The plant has to be a safety source under all circumstances and therefore, high technology of control and supervision shall be introduced.

The significant work that has to be carried out during this project can be classified in the following form, according to three large blocks: (1) studies, simulation and software development, (2) plant design and construction, and (3) prototype integration, start-up and real-time control implementation. This large subdivision also corresponds to the three-year time horizon, such that blocks are scheduled to the first, second and third year, respectively. Moreover, the dissemination and co-ordination efforts are distributed along the entire period.

Fig. 1: Scheme of the work plan

Three sets of results are expected in-between: (1) Resources, conditions and potentials assessment, market analysis and data collection, (2) Dynamic models and decision support system, and (3) Control algorithms and prototype plans. This idea is presented in Fig. 1, where the logical work sequence is supplemented by the involved work packages and the partial results.

Fig. 2: Physical decomposition of the plant and localization of the work packages

WP-1: Project Management

WP-2: Modelling, Simulation and Construction of the RO Plant

WP-3: Integrated Energy Management

WP-4: Systems Engineering and Decision Support

WP-5: Integrated dynamical Modelling, Simulation and Control

WP-6: Power Supply Subsystem

WP-7: Integrated Implementation and Control System Design of a Prototype

WP-8: Dissemination of Scientific Work