Profil Title	Floating, autonomous and ecological desalination plant powered by wind energy
Reference Nr.	08 GR 49R2 0IZS
Country of origin	Greece
Profil Type	Offer
Entry/Update	2008-09-16 / 2009-08-28

Abstract	A company, spin-off of a Greek University, is operating a floating, autonomous desalination unit, powered solely by wind energy. The unit was developed in response to the need for water supply in remote areas and is the first floating wind turbine in the world, which is not only providing electricity, but incorporates a desalination plant to provide potable water. The company is seeking partners for scaling up of the unit and further development of its capabilities.
Details	The use of renewable energy sources has been well recognized as a key factor in assuring our economic viability and quality of life. Concerning wind energy, the development of offshore wind parks is gaining ground. This is the case, especially in Northern Europe, where the water is shallow for a long distance from the coast and the bases of the wind turbines are being cemented to the bottom of the sea. In the Mediterranean region (but also in Japan and the United States) where the sea is deeper, floating wind turbines are considered as the solution, and to this end a lot of effort has been put already by the research community. Many islands of the Aegean sea (e.g. Milos, Kimolos, Iraklia, Schoinousa, Simi, Halki, Patmos, Megisti and many others) face significant water shortage, and, in most of the cases, the required water supplies are transported to the island from other regions. But in most cases the supply cannot meet the need and the related cost is very high. At the same time, the cost of producing electrical energy in these islands is also high due to the fact that they are not connected to the national electrical grid, thus making the operation of a desalination plant (a highly energy-demanding installation) prohibiting. The company has developed and is operating a unit which is coupling a desalination unit with a wind turbine and is placed on a floating structure. The result is the first floating wind turbine in the world, which is not only providing electricity (through a connection cable reaching the nearest land), but incorporates a desalination plant to provide potable from sea water. The wind turbine produces energy, which, through appropriate electrical and electronic systems, is being used to feed an advanced desalination unit for the production of potable water from sea water. The platform on which the whole unit is mounted, is designed in such a way that the wind turbine and the system as a whole can operate even under extreme weather conditions. The operation principle of the desalination unit was improved in comparison to conventional units in order to achieve the highest possible energy savings for the production of the required water, thus increasing the efficiency of the unit. Research on the optimization of the desalination unit succeeded in: ?) Minimizing the scaling and fouling effects on the membranes. ?) Increasing the energy efficiency of the cycle. C) Achieving operation without chemical treatment. The unit is autonomous, which means that it is not required to be connected to the national electrical grid. As it is mounted on a floating base, even large structures can be constructed and erected in a shipyard and towed to the installation point. Furthermore, it is possible for the whole unit to be transported to a different location, if required. The structure complies with the marine safety regulations and the requirements of the classification societies. Finally the unit has an advanced control system, which enables its fully automated operation and provides the possibility for tele-operation and remote-monitoring, if needed. Innovative Aspects: Among the system’s competitive advantages are included: * Easy transportation to the place of operation. * Potential of fulfilling seasonal needs of islands. * Minimization of expenses of installation. * Minimization of disturbances to residents. * Possibility of transportation to a different location, if required. * No impact on underground waters compared to the desalination of brackish water, which leads to the intrusion of seawater to underground water. * Potential of system scale-up without installation problems. Furthermore, an important innovation of the system is that it is adapted to operate with a varying power input, which enables it to use all the available wind power.
Technology sector	- Erneuerbare Energieträger - Windenergie - Meereswissenschaften - Wasserverschmutzung / -belastung/ -behandlung
Market application	- Energy Conservation Related - Water treatment equipment and waste disposal systems - Water, sewerage, chemical and solid waste treatment plants
Stage of development	Available for demonstration
Patent Rights (IPR)	Patent(s) granted
	Patent granted in Greece, International patent application filed
Cooperation type	- Joint further development - Joint Venture Agreement - Engineering # Type of partner sought Industrial partners and/or research organizations # Specific area of activity of the partner The industrial partners should preferably be manufacturer of desalination plants or shipyards, while the research partners should demonstrate a substantial knowledge and expertise in the production of electricity from renewable energy sources with focus on wind energy or in desalination processes. # Task to be performed The company is seeking industrial partners, with the appropriate engineering expertise and facilities for the scaling up of the unit to higher capacities under a joint venture or commercial agreement scheme and with academic/research institutes for the joint technical development of additional capabilities.
Organisation type	Other      Org. Size: < 10
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