Solar Energy For Desalination Technologies in Saudi Arabia Essay

Solar Energy For Desalination Technologies in Saudi-Arabian Arabia - essay ExampleSaudi Arabia is a country of paradoxes, not only in its history and culture solely even in its natural resources. In its substrata lies the 18 per cent of all the homos prove fossil oil reserves, the largest anywhere in the world (Revenue Watch Institute, 2011), and because of this the country is assured of a steady sprout of petrodollars that has the potential to make it one of the worlds wealthiest economies. On the early(a) hand, Saudi Arabia is situated in one of the worlds most arid regions, with little surface water, very little rainfall, and increase desertification which is gradual loss of once arable and fertile land to encroaching aridity (TeachMideast, 2011). Thus tour it is abundant in the worlds most expensive natural resource, Saudi Arabia is however painfully lacking in that commodity essential to life and plentiful in nearly every other region of the planet fresh water.Through th e years the process of desalination has enabled countries in arid regions to catch potable water from brackish or seawater. In Saudi Arabia this is being done today on a large scale through oil powered desalination plants. While the use of fogy fuels poses no present concerns for this oil-rich country, government officials, scientists and policy makers are all aware that the supply of oil is not inexhaustible, and eventually shall be depleted. At such time, the country should have been able to build the capability to change water using sustainable sources of energy such as solar radiation, which this desert region has a limitless supply of. Presently, the country is unable to accomplish solar powered desalination on a large scale, and many are pessimistic that this could be done. Statement of the Research Objective This dissertation aims to research the viability of harnessing solar energy for the purpose of large-scale desalination of water in Saudi Arabia. Research questions In order to satisfactorily achieve the research objective, the dissertation shall seek the answers to the following research questions 1. What is the currently wonted situation of large-quantity water desalination in Saudi Arabia? 2. What is the rate of water consumption of Saudi Arabias population, and what are the chances of a projected shortfall of potable water in the event of the closure of its oil powered desalination plants? 3. How is large-scale solar powered desalination technology described, and what is its feasibility in Saudi Arabia? Q1 Currently prevailing desalination situation An Overview of Desalination Process in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia is the worlds largest producer of the desalinated water, accounting for at least 30 per cent of the total world output. The soil has invested nearly $25 billion in the last 80 years developing the technology for desalination, and in building and operating the desalination plants. Presently, there are some 30 desalination plants in the country, 27 of which supply drinking water to the principal urban centers and industrial locations via a