The influence of water desalination systems on load levelling of gen-set in small off-grid islands

In minor off-grid islands, energy is typically supplied by diesel generator set, while water, when not shipped with water tankers, is produced by means of desalination systems (typically based on reverse osmosis). The additional demand of desalination related power to the already inefficient diesel power systems may worsen gen-set performance. State-of-the-art remedial strategies advocate the use of renewable energy technologies in order to reduce the impact on diesel generators. Nevertheless, many small islands, due to their environmental value and tourist vocation or due to the quality of the local grid, do suffer of more stringent limitations reducing the potential of penetration of renewable energy. To this end, the present work aims at reporting on the influence of water desalination system on diesel generators load levelling. The study of different matching scenario, using a time-dependent model, demonstrates the possibility of finding management strategy paying-off with improved generator performance.