Integrated and Co-located Pumped Hydro Reverse Osmosis Systems
Roadmap Overview
- 1ICPHROS - Integrated and Co-located Pumped Hydro Reverse Osmosis System
<ref>Oceanus Power & Water. https://www.oceanus.pw/. Accessed 27 Oct. 2020.</ref>
The integration and co-location of pumped hydro storage, hydropower and reverse osmosis desalinization plants optimizes efficiency and offsets capital investments, reoccurring operations and maintenance costs and reduces risk to investors. Low cost, excess renewable energy (typically solar or wind) is used to pump seawater up to an elevated reservoir. When demand exceeds renewable power generation, the elevated seawater is fed to hydro turbines at pressure to generate electrical power to the grid. A small portion of the pressurized water is concurrently routed to the reverse osmosis desalinization plant without the need for duplicative generators to produce freshwater. Finally, the brine residual produced during the desalinization process is mixed with the outflow of the hydro turbines, effectively diluting the environmentally harmful solution before its return to the ocean.
Design Structure Matrix (DSM) Allocation
Object Process Diagram - OPD
We provide an OPD of the 1ICPHROS roadmap in the figure below. The OPD depicts the pumped hydro storage and power technology and its integration with a reverse osmosis desalination plant powered by renewable energy sources. Decomposition into the subsystems, processes, inputs, outputs, and the system's characterization by Figures of Merit (FOMs) are depicted as well.
An Object-Process-Language (OPL) description of the OPD is displayed below. It is a formal language interpretation of the OPD provided above.
Figures of Merit (FOM)
The table below lists the FOMs by which Integrated and Co-located Pumped Hydro and Reverse Osmosis systems can be assessed. The hydropower industry uses Power Generation and the Levelized Cost of Energy as primary FOMs. The desalination industry uses Power per Freshwater and Cost per Freshwater as primary FOMs. The integration of these two systems does not have a FOM exclusive to this technology but certain FOMs apply to both such as the Head/Length ratio, Energy Efficiency and Capital Expenditure. Therefore, five primary FOMs are used to track this technology's advancement over time and compare it to stand-alone pumped hydropower and reverse osmosis desalination plants.
Alignment with Company Strategic Drivers
Integrated pumped hydropower and reverse osmosis systems require co-location to achieve necessary efficiencies, utilize sustainable power sources for pumped hydro storage applications and reduced capital investment in the plant, equipment and brine diffusion process. These integrated plants best serve communities seeking a reliable, sustainable and cheap power source as well as freshwater supply for populations and agriculture use. However, the topography further limits operations as the water source must be optimally located within 3 km of the reservoir, and the reservoir must have a 400 m elevation change from the desalination and hydropower plant. Oceanus Power and Water, LLC (Oceanus) is the only known business operating in this domain. Oceanus seeks to increase the applicability of this integrated business strategy and technological advancements in penstock construction and coating materials as well as turbine efficiencies can expand their markets. Furthermore, water production and power demand optimizations are needed to maximize efficiencies and deliver capital investment savings, reduce generation and operating cost and negate environmental liabilities. The system benefits are not exclusive to cost savings. There are significant benefits, both monetary and environmental, with the ability to diffuse the concentrated brine discharge from the desalination plant with outflow from the hydro turbines. California's current EPA standards are the global goal to minimize submarine environmental impacts.
<ref>Water Quality Control Plan Ocean Waters of California, 2015. p. 107.</ref>
Positioning of Company vs. Competition
This integrated technology does not compete equivalently against stand-alone hydropower plants or reverse osmosis desalination plants because roughly 95% of the reservoir’s water is used for hydropower generation and 5% for freshwater production. Rather, it is the co-location and integration that yields greater efficiencies, reduced capital investments in equipment and infrastructure, cheaper production of energy and water than the stand-alone plants. Therefore, the FOMs for hydropower plant generation [kWh] and the power required to produce freshwater [kWh/m3] cannot be accurately compared. The roadmap sponsor, Oceanus Power and Water, has not completed its pilot development of this integrated technology in Chile but anticipates producing water at less than $0.50/m3. The figure below provides a look at the tradespace between LCOW and Plant Capacity with the current state of the sponsor's current position indicated.
<ref>Pankratz, Tom. "www.researchgate.net." n.d. October 2020. <https://www.researchgate.net/publication/299408931_COST_MODELING_OF_DESALINATION_SYSTEMS></ref>
Within the pumped hydro storage system, Oceanus's current project in Chile anticipates producing 180 MW of power running 6 hours per day but plans to advance right toward greater capacities as indicated by the grey arrow.
<ref>Deane, J P, B.P. O Gallachoir and E. J. McKeogh. "Techno-economic review of existing and new pumped hydro energy storage plant." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 14 (2010): 1293-1302.</ref>
Technical Model: Morphological Matrix and Tradespace
FOM #1: Stored Energy - PSH (Pumped-storage hydroelectricity)
The governing equation for stored energy, PSH (Pumped-storage hydroelectricity), is provided below and its derivatives were performed. The equation represents the physical phenomenon of the stored energy. For an integrated plant such as this project (co-located seawater storage and reverse osmosis plant) approximately 5% of the stored water is reserved for the reverse osmosis plant. The governing equation and partial derivatives are provided below as part of our analysis:
We chose the following design vector for calculation purposes.
Design Vector:
ρ𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 1020 kg/m3
Vr𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑜𝑖𝑟 = 106 m3
hℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 = 400 m
ηs𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑚 = 0.8
Because the sensitivity of all variables was 1 for the Pumped Storage Hydropower FOM, we conducted a sensitivity analysis based on the range of the values of each variable (shown in the table below) derived from our Morphological Matrix. The range of data was discovered in our literature review and during the meetings we held with the Roadmap sponsor.
We normalized and found the following relationships exhibited in the graph below:
The Stored Energy is highly dependent on the reservoir’s volume and height and less dependent on the efficiency of the storage system. These factors are directed related to the siting and location of the project installation and operation. Based on our literature review, we found that the location of the project will determine many key variables such as:
- Distance to the water source, which affects the efficiency of the system as longer distances represent higher dynamic losses.
- Natural topography and geology of the coast as it determines the height and the size of the reservoir.
- Market variables, which are not included in the governing equation, such as the existing demand for energy supply during peak hours and excess renewable energy available for storage.
It makes sense that the equation and the sensitivity analysis corroborate what we found in our research. Once the location is chosen, the dimensions of the variables of height and volume are determined. Following location selection, technology to improve the efficiencies best benefits the projects.
FOM #2: Water Rate - SWRO (Sea Water Reverse Osmosis)
The governing equation for water flow rate, derived from SWRO (Sea Water Reverse Osmosis), is provided below and its derivatives were performed.
We chose the following design vector for calculation purposes.
Design Vector (membrane SW 30-4040 Dow Filmtec):
Qw = 0.2 m3/h
Osmotic Pressure = 27.6 bar
Operational System pressure = 68.9 bar
Cte = 0.00484 𝑚3/(ℎ b𝑎𝑟)<ref>Valladares Linares, R., et al. “Forward Osmosis Niches in Seawater Desalination and Wastewater Reuse.” Water Research, vol. 66, Dec. 2014, pp. 122–39. ScienceDirect, doi:10.1016/j.watres.2014.08.021.
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We normalized and found the following relationships exhibited in the graph below:
For the 1ICHROS Roadmap, the operating pressure is related to the height of the water reservoir for head pressure. A minimum height is needed for the RO membrane to perform effectively. Additionally, future technological advancements in membranes could enable lower operating pressure levels (lower height for the water reservoir). Therefore, the performance of the membranes at lower values of pressure could have a profound impact on the flow rate and generation of freshwater.
The morphological matrices for the pumped hydro storage and reverse osmosis desalinization systems are provided below. The matrices identify decision variables important to the design that will affect the overall performance of the system. As noted in the technical assessment above, efficiency is an important parameter for both storing and generating energy and producing freshwater. The pumped hydropower system’s efficiency is determined primarily by the turbines, pumps, and generators. It is also captured in the friction of the water as it transits through the penstocks from the reservoir to the plant. Additionally, the pressure head is an important variable for both the hydropower generation and the desalination process. Therefore, location, topography, and geography are all important factors.
<ref>“Draft Hydropower Pumped Storage Tracking Tool (Update Dec.2018).” Tableau Software. public.tableau.com, https://public.tableau.com/views/DraftHydropowerPumpedStorageTrackingToolupdateDec_2018/Story1?:embed=y&:showVizHome=no&:host_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpublic.tableau.com%2F&:tabs=no&:toolbar=no&:animate_transition=yes&:display_static_image=no&:display_spinner=no&:display_overlay=yes&:loadOrderID=0. Accessed 27 Oct. 2020.</ref>
Financial Model
List of R&T Projects
Based on the Technical and Financial Models provided, we recommend a multi-pronged approach to advance the 1ICPHROS technology. Improvements in system efficiency benefit both the hydropower and storage plant as well as the desalination plant in the form of LCOE, Freshwater Cost, and LCOS. Furthermore, this technology is currently restricted by geographical and topographical limitations based on the necessary head pressure, associated with the elevation change, and the friction loss induced by the distance between the reservoir and the plant. Reducing this Head to Length (H/L) ratio for optimal pumped hydro energy storage and freshwater generation will open up the possible locations for co-location and implementation. Furthermore, continued research and development is needed to co-locate the pre-treatment of seawater at the desalination plant vice the reservoir and also improve the effectiveness of Reverse Osmosis membranes at lower pressures. See the table below for additional information on these R&T efforts, improvement ratios obtained from cited references:
<ref>Voutchkov, N. (2018). Energy use for membrane seawater desalination – current status and trends. Desalination, 431, 2–14. https://doi-org.ezproxyberklee.flo.org/10.1016/j.desal.2017.10.033
</ref><ref>Leal, J. (2020, November 10). Oceanus Power and Water, LLC. [Personal communication].
</ref>
In 2018 and 2019, Oceanus Power and Water invested approximately $225,000 to Research and Development each year. This level of investment accounts for approximately 20% of the total capital raised or revenue per year. Efficiency advancements are shared across numerous technologies beyond just pumped hydro energy storage and reverse osmosis (RO) as coatings and materials that reduce friction and prevent bio-fouling will impact industries across the spectrum including oil and gas, commercial shipping and marine construction to name a few. Monitoring this development and remaining poised to integrate it once mature and proven is our recommended course of action. Membranes used in reverse osmosis have advanced considerably over the last 2 decades reducing the cost of freshwater by nearly 50%<ref>Voutchkov, N. (2018). Energy use for membrane seawater desalination – current status and trends. Desalination, 431, 2–14. https://doi-org.ezproxyberklee.flo.org/10.1016/j.desal.2017.10.033</ref>. The advancement of ceramic membranes may enable lower pressure desalination allowing for greater selection of co-location as well as lower pressure, higher efficiency and lower capital expenditures. We recommend investing in this project with desalination industry partners to help grow the number of co-location projects as soon as possible.
We recommend an R&D effort to co-locate the pre-treatment for RO desalination at the plant under higher pressure. Membrane development, bio-filters and pre-treatment methods can help overcome current limitations. At an estimated 15-20% reduction in capital expenditures due to eliminating redundancies, pumping freshwater up to the reservoir and less infrastructure, the value proposition of this effort is significant from both a RO plant technological perspective as well as the reduced cost to investors. The next shorter-term R&D effort we recommend aligns with the RO industry in improving the energy recovery from RO concentrate using forward osmosis technology and membrane distillation. By leveraging advances with the co-location of pre-treatment with the rest of the RO plant, there may be findings applicable to this process as well. We recommend delaying this effort given the constrained budget until significant headway is achieved with 4HPPT.
Finally, Oceanus Power and Water is already thinking forward beyond its current development in Chile and other projects world-wide to the horizon. Integrating and co-locating hydrogen production with the 1ICPHROS system would add a third revenue stream and take advantage of being located next to a clean, renewable energy source and freshwater producer. This advantage could reduce Hydrogen production costs by as much as 20% in an exportable seaside location. This is a long-term, futuristic technology development with considerable upside but also significant risk due to the massive infrastructure investment required to bring pumped hydro energy storage, reverse osmosis desalination and hydrogen production to a single locale. Given the limited R&D budget, relatively proven technologies associated with pumped hydro energy storage and RO desalination, and diversity of advancements in multiple FOMs, project valuation was conducted using pairwise comparison to yield the greatest benefit for Oceanus P&W.
The schedule below depicts the recommended timing for the projects:
Key Publications and Patents
Publications
1. Slocum, Alexander H., et al. “Integrated Pumped Hydro Reverse Osmosis Systems.” Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, vol. 18, Dec. 2016, pp. 80–99. ScienceDirect, DOI:10.1016/j.seta.2016.09.003.
Slocum et al. assessed integrated pumped hydro reverse osmosis systems as a “symbiotic match” between pumped hydropower and storage and desalination using reverse osmosis. The article explores the topographical restrictions for application of this integrated solution and concludes that there are many benefits to the co-location and integration of these existing technologies.
2. Bowen Zhou, Boyu Liu, Dongsheng Yang, Jun Cao, Tim Littler. Multi-objective optimal operation of coastal hydro-electrical energy system with seawater reverse osmosis desalination based on constrained NSGA-III. Energy Conversion and Management, Volume 207, 2020, 112533, ISSN 0196-8904, https://doi-org.ezproxyberklee.flo.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2020.112533.
This recent article explores the optimization of the integrated system. The non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-III) is employed to optimize the cost of the hydro-electrical energy system and look at the sensitivity of the various parameters involved with desalination. It applied these results to 5 case studies and concluded that the algorithm can find the Pareto front and that the entire system should be evaluated to find the optimal implementation and operational approach.
3. Rehman, Shafiqur, et al. “Pumped Hydro Energy Storage System: A Technological Review.” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 44, Apr. 2015, pp. 586–98. DOI.org (Crossref), DOI:10.1016/j.rser.2014.12.040.
A recent review of pumped hydro energy storage systems using alternative sustainable energy sources including photovoltaic and wind turbines provides excellent insight and a recent status of the pumped hydroelectric power generation capability. This article concluded the topographical restrictions for this technology are simplified to the ratio of the distance between the reservoir (L) and power plant and the elevation change (H) or L/H. Cost-effective plants currently being built and operated have an L/H ratio of less than 10.
4. Segurado, R., et al. “Optimization of a Wind-Powered Desalination and Pumped Hydro Storage System.” Applied Energy, vol. 177, Sept. 2016, pp. 487–99. ScienceDirect, DOI:10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.05.125.
This article seeks to optimize the integration of pumped hydropower/hydro storage and desalination. The authors use the Direct MultiSearch method to find the optimal sizing and implementation strategy for the integrated system. The analysis yields a Pareto front using power costs and water supply costs as parameters in tension while using wind power for desalination and pumped hydro storage.
5. 106380.Pdf | Powered by Box. https://anl.app.box.com/s/tphlklclz9xu5lv79n2gzv2cfauuvmwv. Accessed 26 Oct. 2020.
Pumped Storage Hydropower: Benefits for Grid Reliability and Integration of Variable Renewable Energy published by the Argonne National Laboratory in August 2014 assessed the viability of pumped hydropower and hydro storage. It concluded that this technology is “a proven, cost-effective solution to large-scale energy storage.” It also discussed ancillary benefits and encouraged the conversion from fixed-speed to variable-speed turbine technologies.
6. The Cost of Desalination - Advisian. www.advisian.com, https://www.advisian.com:443/en/global-perspectives/the-cost-of-desalination. Accessed 26 Oct. 2020.
This article provides an overview of the desalination process and its history since the 1960s. There is incredible growth around the world in the desalination process. Concerning costs, it used an important figure of merit cost to produce a cubic meter of freshwater [USD$/m3]. It gave estimates ranging from $0.70/m3 to $3.20/m3, mostly dependent on the capacity of the plants. Most interesting was the CAPEX breakdown for each of the reverse osmosis salination subprocesses (i.e. pretreatment, brine discharge or storage).
Patents
1. US 2018/0290902 A1 – US Patent Application - Integrated system for generating, storing and dispensing clean energy and desalinating water. Applicant Oceanus Power and Water. The US patent application was published in October 2018 and in the review process. It claims novelty of the integration of existing technologies, pumped hydropower and desalination, as well as solar and wind power generation plants to generate power for a co-located and integrated system. This patent explicitly states that the system consists of a hydraulic storage facility, desalination plant and a penstock that connects the storage facility and desalination plant. This patent could be expanded in the future to address advancements in penstock coatings or materials.
2. WO 2018/191163 A1 – International Publication – An Integrated System for Supplying Clean Water and Clean Energy to the Mining industry. Applicant: Oceanus Power and Water. This international patent application was filed in published in October 2018 and is under review. It claims novelty of the integration of pumped hydropower with processing ore feedstock in mining operations including the treatment of contaminated water. The application of the integrated system is specific to mining operations which require significant energy for “excavation, crushing, milling and transportation,” as well as freshwater for mineral and petroleum product extraction.
3. US 2019/0046931 A1 – US Patent Application – Separation membrane. Applicant Toray Industries, Inc. The patent application was received in 2019 is outstanding and in the review process. It provides a novel approach to a separation membrane necessary for reverse osmosis (RO) desalination processes. It evolves on an existing invention regarding separation membranes and reducing the number of defects. Advancements in membrane technology can enable RO with lower pressures or minimize the need for pre-treatment at low pressures (at the reservoir). This patent introduces a separation membrane to reduce defects in the current membrane system. There are efforts underway to use ceramic-based membranes to enable lower pressure RO.
Technology Strategy Statement
The primary target of the Integrated and co-located pumped hydro reverse osmosis system is to increase the number of plants built offering both a cheaper and more efficient sustainable power source and freshwater supply for agriculture and communities. Two variables, within the technology domain, emerged from our analysis demonstrating the greatest influence on the ability to grow the number of co-located plants around the world. The first principle variable is geographical and topographical limitations imposed by requiring a Head to Length ratio (H/L) of greater than 0.1 for most applications. The second variable having the greatest impact on the number of plants is the cost. Efforts to reduce the capital expenditure [CAPEX], the Freshwater Cost [$/m3] and the Cost of Energy [$/MWh] will attract government and community investment into this technology and accelerate its adoption. Due to these findings, we recommend research and development efforts that promote the greatest return in these valued areas including efficiency, reduced capital expenditures and an increase in the number of locales where plants can be built with suitable elevation differences within limited distances.
To reach our goal of initiating contracts for 20 plants by 2025, we recommend investing in both the ability to pre-treat water for RO desalination at high pressure (4HPPT) and membrane technology to achieve RO desalination at lower pressures. Both of these are enabling technologies that will reduce CAPEX and reduce H/L ratios.
Finally, this technology takes advantage of co-locating and integrating two existing technologies. Expanding upon this method to include adjacent markets such as hydrogen product is a futuristic goal for Oceanus. Adding a third, high-value revenue stream would continue to open up the applicability of this integrating technology to other parts of the world and in turn lead to more plants generating freshwater, clean energy and a hydrogen fuel source!
