Assessment of hybrid renewable energy systems to drive water desalination plant in an arid remote area in Jordan

Jordan is relatively poor in conventional energy resources and it is dependent on foreign energy sources to cover its energy needs. At the same time the low percentage of freshwater along with the rapidly growing population urge to drag the attention to water desalination. This study presents an investigation and assessment of renewable energy resources to operate a reverse osmosis desalination plant located in arid remote area Sail El hasaa, Jordan with a capacity of up to 100 m(3) of daily. The HOMER Hybrid Optimization Model Tool has been used to create optimal designs for these renewable energy systems. The photovoltaic system, wind turbine system, diesel generator, and hybrid system are evaluated in terms of each system's net present cost and cost of energy. Different configurations are suggested for each system and compared to meet the analysis requirements. Results showed that the hybrid system is the most optimum system with the configuration of photovoltaic modules, diesel generator, wind turbine, and DC/AC converter.