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Khalifa University researchers have developed a compact system that efficiently produces both electricity and clean water using solar energy, offering a sustainable solution for water-scarce, off-grid regions听

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In an effort to address the global twin crises of energy and water scarcity, researchers from Khalifa University have engineered a solar-powered device that does both: it generates electricity and produces freshwater by combining concentrated photovoltaics and membrane distillation into a single, compact module. Unlike traditional desalination systems that rely heavily on fossil fuels or separate energy sources, this hybrid design uses the waste heat from solar cells to drive a thermal desalination process.听听

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The team was led by Dr. Mohamed Ali, with Dr. Kabbir Ali and Dr. Mostafa Ismael, all from Khalifa University鈥檚 Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Department. Their results were published in .听听

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鈥淚nstead of letting heat dissipate, we direct it into water purification,鈥� Dr. Ali said. 鈥淐lean water access is crucial for remote societies, affecting health and wellbeing, and requiring essential water infrastructure enhancements. Integrating sustainable energy sources with desalination systems provides an eco-friendly approach, addressing energy, water, and environmental challenges.鈥澨�

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鈥淏y harnessing both electricity and thermal energy from the sun in a single unit, our hybrid system represents a step towards affordable, dual-purpose infrastructure for water-stressed regions.鈥�

鈥� Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim Ali, Khalifa University

 

The team used computational fluid dynamics to simulate how the system behaves under varying solar intensities, water flow rates, and seasonal conditions before it was rigorously validated against lab data. Performance varied by season and time of day, with peak water production occurring during summer afternoons and electricity generation peaking around noon.听听

Most importantly, the system is energy efficient, consuming significantly less energy than traditional desalination systems, only requiring energy for pumping water. There is significant potential for this system, but before commercialization, there are some hurdles to overcome. Long-term durability under harsh conditions and large-scale deployment remain areas for future research, but the team鈥檚 achievements represent a significant step towards decentralized, sustainable solutions for remote and arid regions.听听

Jade Sterling
Science Writer听