DESOLINATION Project: Highlights from the 6th Progress Meeting in Firenze

DESOLINATION Project: Highlights from the 6th Progress Meeting in Firenze

by | Dec 18, 2024 | News, Project meetings

Last week, the DESOLINATION project partners gathered in Firenze for the 6th progress meeting, hosted by Baker Hughes. We extend our sincere gratitude to Baker Hughes for their hospitality and the organization of this important event.

As the holiday season approaches, the DESOLINATION team reflects on the significant progress made this year while preparing for the critical milestones that lie ahead. The discussions in Firenze emphasized both the achievements and the adjustments necessary to ensure the successful realization of the project’s objectives.

A central focus of the meeting was the demonstration plant in Riyadh, a cornerstone of the DESOLINATION initiative. While the development of most components is nearing completion, several timeline adjustments were addressed.

See Our Demo Plant

We had the opportunity to visit Baker Hughes’s Technical Training Academy. Baker Hughes is a leader in energy technology and specializes in advanced equipment for energy production, including turbomachinery for new-generation power cycles.

In the DESOLINATION project, they are designing the innovative power cycle and customized power block turbomachinery critical to the project’s success.

The visit highlighted Baker Hughes’ key contributions and inspired our team with a deeper understanding of their role in achieving the project’s vision.

As 2024 draws to a close, we extend our warmest holiday wishes to all our partners and supporters. Here’s to a successful and impactful 2025, as we continue to advance our shared vision of sustainable water and energy solutions.

Let us maintain this momentum as we strive toward completing the DESOLINATION project and delivering innovative solutions that benefit communities worldwide.
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DESOLINATION project reaches major milestone in Saudi Arabia

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Key components arrive at King Saud University demonstration site  DESOLINATION moves closer to validation of the CSP-desalination system with the arrival of critical system components at our demonstration site at King Saud University (KSU) in Saudi Arabia. This marks a major step forward in bringing our innovative combined CSP and…

Join us at NWO CHAINS 2025!

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December 2-3, 2025 | NH Koningshof, Veldhoven, The Netherlands The DESOLINATION project will be presented at NWO CHAINS 2025, the premier annual Dutch chemistry conference that brings together the Netherlands\' vibrant chemistry community.About NWO CHAINS NWO CHAINS is the annual Dutch chemistry conference where chemists, from PhD students and postdocs…

DESOLINATION Showcased at IDRA Summit on Water and Climate Change 2025

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Reykjavík, Iceland | October 14, 2025The DESOLINATION project took the stage at the prestigious IDRA Summit on Water and Climate Change 2025 in Reykjavík, where cutting-edge advances in thermal desalination technology were presented to a global audience of industry leaders and researchers.Breakthrough in Thermal Desalination Ettore Morosini from Politecnico di…

Experimental and Numerical Study of Supercritical CO₂ Cooler: A DESOLINATION Contribution Awarded at the 6th European sCO₂ Conference

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As part of the Horizon 2020 DESOLINATION project, a new study titled “Experimental and numerical study of supercritical CO₂ cooler” was presented at the 6th European Conference on Supercritical CO₂ (sCO₂) for Energy Systems, held from 9–11 April 2025 in Delft, Netherlands. The research, led by LUT University in collaboration…

DESOLINATION Presented at Oman Water Week 2025 in Muscat

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From 6 to 10 April 2025, the Oman Water Week brought together international experts, innovators, and stakeholders to discuss sustainable water solutions at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre in Muscat. Among the key contributors to the event was the DESOLINATION project, which was showcased as part of the Municipal…

DESOLINATION Project: Highlights from the 6th Progress Meeting in Firenze

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Last week, the DESOLINATION project partners gathered in Firenze for the 6th progress meeting, hosted by Baker Hughes. We extend our sincere gratitude to Baker Hughes for their hospitality and the organization of this important event.As the holiday season approaches, the DESOLINATION team reflects on the significant progress made this…

DESOLINATION Project Presented at the VII DIMI Conference in Brescia

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On November 29th, Gioele Di Marcoberardino, representing DESOLINATION project partner UNIBS (University of Brescia), delivered a compelling session titled \"More Than Just Energy: The H2020 DESOLINATION Project.\" Presented in Italian, his talk offered an insightful overview of the project\'s objectives and its transformative impact.The DESOLINATION project, funded under the European…

DESOLINATION Project Presented at the VII DIMI Conference in Brescia

DESOLINATION Project Presented at the VII DIMI Conference in Brescia

by | Nov 16, 2024 | Events, News, Workshop

On November 29th, Gioele Di Marcoberardino, representing DESOLINATION project partner UNIBS (University of Brescia), delivered a compelling session titled “More Than Just Energy: The H2020 DESOLINATION Project.” Presented in Italian, his talk offered an insightful overview of the project’s objectives and its transformative impact.
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The DESOLINATION project, funded under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program, aims to tackle sustainability challenges by advancing technologies that combine renewable energy production with efficient water desalination systems. Through his presentation, Gioele Di Marcoberardino emphasized that DESOLINATION is not merely focused on energy generation but also addresses critical global needs such as clean water access and resource efficiency—essential pillars for a sustainable future.

The session provided attendees with insight into how interdisciplinary engineering solutions, like those developed in DESOLINATION, contribute to the broader goals of environmental sustainability and innovation. It also underscored the importance of collaboration between research institutions, industry, and society in achieving these ambitious objectives.

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The conference concluded with a guided tour of the historic Palazzo Loggia, allowing participants to network and reflect on the impactful discussions of the day.

DESOLINATION Project Presented at the Onshore Energy Conference (OEC) London 2024

DESOLINATION Project Presented at the Onshore Energy Conference (OEC) London 2024

by | Nov 15, 2024 | Events, News

On Tuesday, November 5th, 2024, the DESOLINATION project took center stage at the Onshore Energy Conference (OEC) in London, where approximately 450 delegates gathered at Convene, 155 Bishopsgate.

This year’s theme, “Bridging the Gap”, brought together key players from the energy insurance sector to address challenges such as emerging risks, sustainable capital, and the rapid evolution of technology.

Cranfield University, a key partner in the DESOLINATION project, was honored as an invited keynote speaker at the event. Cranfield’s representatives introduced the project and highlighted their research activities, demonstrating how the DESOLINATION project aligns with the evolving needs of the energy sector.

In their presentation, Cranfield emphasized the project’s pioneering role in combining renewable energy with innovative desalination technologies to address two global priorities: clean energy production and sustainable water resources. By bridging these critical areas, DESOLINATION provides solutions that align with both the energy transition and risk mitigation objectives essential for the energy insurance market.

See CRANFIELD Presentation

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The Onshore Energy Conference, known for its role in fostering dialogue and collaboration, provided a unique platform for Cranfield to showcase DESOLINATION’s advancements. With the energy insurance market facing challenges from geopolitical uncertainties, macro-economic shifts, and technological changes, projects like DESOLINATION demonstrate the potential to bridge gaps between innovation, sustainability, and risk management.

The session delivered valuable insights into how cutting-edge research can support the energy insurance sector in navigating emerging risks while addressing environmental sustainability goals. The conference format, which included plenary discussions, focus groups, and TED-style talks, allowed participants to engage deeply with these timely and significant topics.

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DESOLINATION Project Partners Visit CSP Plant during Solar & Storage Live KSA 2024

DESOLINATION Project Partners Visit CSP Plant during Solar & Storage Live KSA 2024

by | Oct 17, 2024 | Events, Milestones

As part of its dissemination activities, the DESOLINATION project was prominently featured during the Solar & Storage Live KSA 2024 event held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project partner Aalborg CSP (ACSP) participated in the event through a dedicated booth, engaging with a diverse and extensive local audience that included installers, commercial and industrial users, property and landowners, and utility companies.
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In conjunction with this participation, key representatives from DESOLINATION project partners Aalborg CSP, Hammam Soliman, and Miguel Herrador Moreno visited the DESOLINATION demonstration site located at King Saud University (KSU) in Riyadh. This visit was hosted by our project partners, Dr. Hany Al-Ansary and Zeyad Almutairi from KSU, providing a hands-on opportunity to observe the innovative technologies underpinning the project.

The DESOLINATION project showcases pioneering solutions that merge solar energy with advanced desalination systems. A highlight of the site visit was the 200kW Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plant at King Saud University, which operates an air Brayton cycle solar power tower. This facility exemplifies the project’s mission by harnessing solar heat that would otherwise be wasted, utilizing it to drive cutting-edge desalination technologies. This integration offers a dual benefit of sustainable energy production and freshwater generation—both essential resources for a sustainable future.

What is a CSP Plant?

The DESOLINATION demonstration site is set for further expansion in its second phase, which will include the installation of a 2MWe power cycle utilizing CO₂ blends. Similar to the Brayton cycle system, this new technology will also integrate with the desalination process, showcasing the scalability and adaptability of solar-driven solutions for energy and water needs.

Through its participation in Solar & Storage Live KSA 2024, the DESOLINATION project reached a wide audience, sharing its vision for revolutionizing renewable energy and desalination integration. The event underscored the project partners’ commitment to driving innovation and advancing technologies that address global challenges in energy efficiency and water sustainability.

Through events like Solar & Storage Live KSA 2024, the DESOLINATION project is amplifying its impact, demonstrating how CSP technology can address energy and water challenges globally.

What is a

Concentrated Solar Power Plant?

A Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plant is a type of renewable energy facility that uses mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight onto a small area, typically a receiver, to generate high amounts of heat. This thermal energy is then used to produce electricity, often by powering a steam turbine or a heat engine. CSP plants differ from solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, which directly convert sunlight into electricity.

Key Components of a CSP Plant:

  1. Concentrators: Mirrors or lenses focus sunlight onto a receiver. Different CSP technologies use different types of concentrators:

2. Receiver: The concentrated sunlight heats a fluid, usually oil, molten salt, or air, which then transfers the heat to a steam generator.

3. Power Cycle: The heat from the receiver is used to produce steam, which drives a turbine connected to a generator, producing electricity. CSP plants often use traditional Rankine cycles, and advanced systems can use Brayton or CO2 power cycles.

4. Thermal Storage: One major advantage of CSP plants is their ability to store heat in materials like molten salt, allowing them to generate electricity even after sunset.

Applications

CSP plants are particularly suited to regions with high direct sunlight, such as deserts or sunny climates. They are increasingly being integrated with systems like desalination and thermal storage, improving their efficiency and extending their use beyond electricity production.

DESOLINATION partners at SolarPACES 2024: Showcasing Groundbreaking Research in Renewable Energy Innovation!

DESOLINATION partners at SolarPACES 2024: Showcasing Groundbreaking Research in Renewable Energy Innovation!

by | Oct 14, 2024 | Events, News

At the 30th SolarPACES conference in Rome, Italy, the DESOLINATION project, represented by its partners, the University of Derby, Teesside University, and UNIBS, made an impressive impact with its innovative research on renewable energy and desalination technologies.

Revolutionizing Power Generation with CO2-Mixture Based Power Cycles

One of the standout moments was the presentation by Teesside University’s Net Zero team. Represented by Professor Patchigolla Kumar and his dynamic research team—Dr. Abubakr Ayub, Balkan Mutlu, and Kristofer Poirier—the team shared groundbreaking advancements in concentrated solar power (CSP) and sustainable desalination.

Balkan Mutlu presented their cutting-edge research, “Optimizing CO2-Mixture Based Power Cycles for CSP Applications: A Multi-Objective Approach.”

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This work has the potential to revolutionize Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems and significantly enhance their efficiency.

  • Utilizing advanced multi-objective optimization techniques to improve efficiency,
  • Developing novel CO2-mixture working fluids that enhance power generation.

By focusing on optimizing these critical aspects, the team aims to significantly boost the performance of CSP plants, pushing the boundaries of renewable energy generation. The innovative approach promises higher efficiencies and lower emissions, making CSP a more viable solution for global energy challenges.

Tackling Water Scarcity with Zero Liquid Discharge Desalination

Another groundbreaking innovation was presented by Kristofer Poirier, showcasing “Innovative Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Desalination for Mineral Recovery Using Solar and Geothermal Energy.”

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In this approach, the team is addressing water scarcity through:

  • Combining solar and geothermal energy to power desalination processes,
  • Achieving near 100% water recovery and recovering valuable minerals, such as lithium carbonate, from brine,
  • Reducing waste and improving sustainability by turning waste products into high-purity minerals that can be sold.

This ZLD process not only minimizes environmental impact but also offers economic benefits by turning waste into valuable resources. A case study on Tenerife Island demonstrated how this novel process could improve both the profitability and sustainability of solar-driven and geothermal-driven desalination, showcasing a future-ready solution for water-stressed regions.

A Call for Sustainable Water Production

The presentations at SolarPACES highlighted the importance of brine mining for enhancing the viability of desalination projects. By extracting valuable minerals and achieving zero liquid discharge, Teesside University’s Net Zero team is paving the way for more sustainable, profitable desalination processes. This work is crucial for addressing global water scarcity while reducing carbon emissions, as the process integrates carbon capture technologies into desalination systems.

Kristofer Poirier shared his enthusiasm after presenting the innovative ZLD process, expressing gratitude to the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre and all involved in the SolarPACES event.

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“It was a great opportunity to meet some of the world’s leading experts in concentrated solar energy and industrial process heat,”

he remarked, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in advancing global sustainability efforts.

Looking Forward: Teesside University’s Commitment to Net Zero

The research presented at SolarPACES is just one part of Teesside University’s broader efforts to achieve net-zero emissions. Through its Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre, the university continues to push the frontiers of renewable energy, water sustainability, and industrial process efficiency.

As the team moves forward, they are keen to collaborate with industry partners and researchers around the world to scale these innovations and make a real-world impact. With each breakthrough, they are bringing us closer to a future where clean, renewable energy powers not only our electricity needs but also essential processes like desalination.

Italy's Solar Thermal Legacy

Historical and Modern Achievements in CSP

Italy has been at the forefront of solar thermal technology for over a decade. The Archimede plant, inaugurated in 2010, was the first CSP demo plant in Italy to utilize molten salt for heat transfer and storage in a parabolic trough system. This pioneering project set the stage for future advancements in the field.

In recent years, Italy has continued to lead the way with the commissioning of its first commercial CSP plant and several others in advanced stages of construction. This blend of historical innovation and modern progress makes Italy a fitting host for the 30th SolarPACES Conference, where tradition and cutting-edge technology converge.