Renewable energy sources for water desalting in Tunisia

Achievements and potential of coupling between renewable energy sources and brackish or seawater desalting technologies in Tunisia have been investiga ted. These sources of energy, mainly solar, wind and geothermal, have been identified throughout the country, and their suitability for coupling with different desalting technologies has been investigated. Renewable energies are expected to have a flourishing future anti an important role in the dom ain of brackish and seawater desalination. Of special interest are small de salination plants that can be operated with small quantities of energy. Sma ll-scale, renewable, energy-driven desalination plants might be the most ec onomical solution for providing potable water to remote and isolated commun ities where the electric: grid and the proper infrastructure are lacking. B y exploiting renewable energies for fresh water production, three main prob lems can be addressed: fresh water scarcity, fossil energy depletion and en vironmental degradation due to gas emissions and hydrocarbon pollution.