Desalination Energy Calculator
Calculate the energy required and cost to desalinate seawater using reverse osmosis or thermal methods.
Daily Energy Required
1,200 kWh
Daily Energy Required vs Electricity Rate
Formule
## How to Calculate Desalination Energy Desalination removes salt from seawater to produce fresh water, requiring significant energy. ### Formula **Daily Energy = Volume (gal) * Energy Rate / 1,000** ### Energy Requirements (kWh per 1,000 gallons) - **Reverse osmosis (RO)**: 10-15 kWh - **Multi-stage flash**: 20-30 kWh - **Multi-effect distillation**: 15-25 kWh - **Forward osmosis**: 8-12 kWh (emerging)
Exemple Résolu
A small RO plant producing 100,000 gal/day at 12 kWh/1000 gal with $0.10/kWh electricity.
- 01Daily energy: 100,000 * 12 / 1,000 = 1,200 kWh
- 02Daily cost: 1,200 * $0.10 = $120
- 03Annual cost: 1,200 * 365 * $0.10 = $43,800
- 04Cost per 1,000 gal: 12 * $0.10 = $1.20
Questions Fréquentes
How much energy does desalination require?
Modern reverse osmosis uses 10-15 kWh per 1,000 gallons of fresh water produced. This is down from 25+ kWh two decades ago due to energy recovery devices and improved membranes.
How does desalination cost compare to tap water?
Desalinated water costs $2-5 per 1,000 gallons versus $1-3 for conventional treated water. The gap is narrowing as technology improves and freshwater sources become scarcer.
Can solar power run a desalination plant?
Yes. Several solar-powered RO plants operate worldwide. The combination is logical since areas with water scarcity often have abundant solar resources.