Integration study of a reverse osmosis desalination plant in a hydroelectric pumping station

Abstract

The archipelagos of Macaronesia (Canary Islands, Azores, Madeira and Cape Verde) have isolated energy systems (IES). This makes the island systems dependent on themselves for energy production. In the case of an island like Gran Canaria, energy production is mainly obtained from: a) Wind and solar energy, 19 % of the total energy produced, b) Energy obtained from the burning of fossil fuels in the energy production equipment of the existing power plants. Thermal power plants, 81 % of the total energy produced. It is necessary to find a solution to the current production system, which is already partially obsolete and must be renewed and/or dismantled, in order to avoid "Zero Energy", which implies a change in the production cycle. In addition, the incorporation of the "Chira-Soria" pumped-storage hydroelectric power plant into the Gran Canaria electricity system represents another, even more important, change in the dynamics followed up to now. Basically, this plant, hydraulically stabilized by means of a seawater desalination plant, incorporates energy storage by storing water at high altitude to be turbined under the right conditions. The new situation with this incorporation will be analysed and the option of integrated operation in the overall energy system of Gran Canaria will be assessed.