Alleviating freshwater shortages with combined desert-based large-scale renewable energy and coastal desalination plants supported by Global Energy Interconnection

摘要

Under the background of sustainable energy transition and environmental protection,Global Energy Interconnection(GEI),which features an innovative combination of clean energy(e.g.,solar power) and ultra-high voltage(UHV) transmission technologies,provides a means to realize global climate governance.China is a large country with unevenly distributed water resources,energy production,and energy consumption,and the large areas of desert in northern and western China have the potential for installing large-scale solar power plants.This study analyzed the potential of using large-scale solar power from deserts to coastal seawater desalination plants,which could alleviate the freshwater crisis and control desertification in China.First,the measurement data from NASA were used to estimate the potential exploitable amount of solar energy in desert areas.A macro idea was proposed for the transmission of electrical power from inland integrated energy bases to coastal seawater desalination and pumping of freshwater to western China to combat desertification and alleviate the freshwater crisis.Based on this,the electricity demands for desalination and water redistribution were estimated.As a huge interruptible load,desalination and pumping systems could be used to suppress power fluctuations of the integrated energy bases.Finally,the fundamental support roles of UHV grids in large-scale renewable energy allocation and utilization were discussed.This analysis offers a theoretical framework to help realize efficient renewable energy generation and consumption and alleviate freshwater shortage.