Subsea Desalination
Revolutionizing Water Solutions for Municipal, Industrial, and Agricultural Needs
This article explores the transformative potential of subsea desalination systems, a new adaptation of SWRO leading to significant energy savings and greatly reduced environmental impact, and the broad applications and benefits for municipal, industrial, and agricultural needs.
Table of Contents
1. The Water Challenge: Introduction to the Global Water Problem
2. Conventional Desalination: A Promising Solution Needing Refinement
-
Thermal Desalination
-
Membrane-Based Desalination (SWRO)
-
Challenges of Conventional Desalination
-
Environmental and Sustainability Concerns of Desalination
-
Pros and Cons of Desalination
3. Subsea SWRO: Leading the Way in Sustainable Desalination
-
Understanding Subsea Desalination
-
Flocean's Desal: Revolutionizing Sustainable Desalination
-
Environmental and Economic Benefits
-
Municipal Water Supply
-
Industrial Applications
-
Agricultural Needs and Water Management
5. Examining Key Markets Confronting Water Challenges
-
Greece
-
Spain
-
France
-
Italy
-
Cyprus
6. Conclusion
7. Investor Insights
8. Strategic Partnerships
Introduction to the Global Water Problem
I. The Water Challenge
As the global population continues to grow and climate change intensifies water scarcity, finding sustainable solutions for clean water has become more critical than ever before. According to the United Nations World Water Development Report 2023:
Global water use has been increasing by roughly 1% per year over the last 40 years, driven by population growth, economic development, and changing consumption patterns.
Humans cannot survive without water for more than three days, with the average person needing approximately 3.2 liters per day. Additionally, there is a significant 'hidden' water footprint in our everyday lives from food and energy production. By 2050, the growing population will require 50% more food. Agriculture, already the largest user of water, accounts for over 70% of withdrawals. It takes between 2,000 and 5,000 liters of water to produce one person's daily food intake, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) .
Groundwater levels are depleting at an unprecedented rate, with significant drops in aquifer levels due to intensive water withdrawals, particularly for agriculture. Aquifers, which are underground layers of water-bearing rock that provide essential water supplies for various uses, are being heavily impacted.
The United Nations World Water Development Report 2022, estimates that our groundwater reserves are being depleted at a rate of 100 to 200 cubic kilometers annually. This means that each year, we are using up a significant amount of our underground water storage, which accounts for 15-25% of all groundwater withdrawals.
This rapid depletion indicates that a substantial portion of our groundwater resources is being consumed every year, which could have serious implications for water availability in the future. A detailed study available on SpringerLink covers the broader implications of groundwater depletion globally.
Each year, an area of fertile soil the size of New Mexico or Poland is swallowed by deserts, rendering it useless for farming. Over 75% of the Earth's land area is already degraded, and over 90% could become degraded by 2050, according to The World Counts. Additionally, global water scarcity is becoming more severe, with 1 out of 4 people living in areas of extreme water stress.
By 2030, global water demand is expected to exceed supply by 40%.
A Promising Solution Needing Refinement
II. Conventional Desalination
Desalination, the process of removing salts and impurities from seawater to produce fresh water, has emerged as a vital technology in addressing these challenges. Nearly 40 percent of the world’s population lives within 100 km of an ocean or sea, making desalination an important solution for coastal areas.
Desalination can be broadly categorized into thermal and membrane-based methods, making desalination an important solution for coastal areas.
-
What do we do?We sell drinking water through our advanced subsea desalination technology. We use modular subsea desalination pods that are installed at depths of 400-600 meters. These pods leverage the natural hydrostatic pressure of the deep sea to reduce energy consumption significantly. Each pod has a capacity of up to 7,500 m³/day. Multiple pods can be deployed to scale up the water production capacity.
-
Why FLOCEANFlocean's subsea desalination technology leverages the natural hydrostatic pressure of deep-sea water, significantly reducing energy consumption and environmental impact, while providing high-quality, chemical-free fresh water. Key benefits include reduced energy consumption by 30-50%, minimal environmental impact, modular and scalable design, robust and redundant system architecture, and the ability to operate in diverse marine environments.
-
How do we produces the most affordable desalinised water available?Huge energy savings correlate with affordability, cutting the levelised cost of water in half. In turn, less expensive desalination helps to secure the global water and food supply. In addition, Flocean™ uses 95 per cent less land than conventional systems.
-
Who would benefit from using Flocean Desal?Flocean Desal is ideally suited for island communities, agricultural sectors, and urban areas with limited freshwater resources, particularly in regions like the Mediterranean and other coastal areas with access to seawater. The technology requires access to water that is at least 400-600 meters deep and located within 10 kilometers from the shore.
-
How much fresh water can one installation produce?One Flocean Desal Pod can produce up to 7,500 m³/day of fresh water. Multiple pods can be installed per site to increase capacity up to 50,000 m3/day.
-
What is the environmental impact of this installation?Flocean has minimal environmental impact. It uses deep-sea water, which is naturally cleaner, reducing the need for extensive pre-treatment and chemicals. The energy consumption is significantly lower than others, resulting in reduced CO2 emissions.
-
How does this installation manage brine disposal?The brine is discharged at depths of 400-600 meters, far from biologically active areas, ensuring rapid diffusion and minimal environmental impact. The concentrate is chemical-free and only slightly more saline than ambient seawater.
-
How does this installation affect life underwater?The deep intake and outfall design minimizes the impact on marine life, avoiding areas with high biological activity. The system ensures that marine ecosystems are not disrupted by intake or discharge processes.
-
What technology is used in this installation?Flocean uses the ambient hydrostatic pressure at depth, where water is naturally pressurised to 40 to 50 bar. Pumps “suck” freshwater – rather than “push” seawater – through the RO membrane, reducing overall energy consumption by 40 - 50 %.
Leading the Way in Sustainable Desalination
III. Subsea SWRO
To address the limitations of traditional land-based desalination plants, subsea reverse osmosis systems have been developed. These systems, designed for installation at depths of 300 to 600 meters, retain the primary functions of their terrestrial counterparts but with significant simplifications at every step, due to the advantages provided by deep-sea conditions and operational methods.
-
What do we do?We sell drinking water through our advanced subsea desalination technology. We use modular subsea desalination pods that are installed at depths of 400-600 meters. These pods leverage the natural hydrostatic pressure of the deep sea to reduce energy consumption significantly. Each pod has a capacity of up to 7,500 m³/day. Multiple pods can be deployed to scale up the water production capacity.
-
Why FLOCEANFlocean's subsea desalination technology leverages the natural hydrostatic pressure of deep-sea water, significantly reducing energy consumption and environmental impact, while providing high-quality, chemical-free fresh water. Key benefits include reduced energy consumption by 30-50%, minimal environmental impact, modular and scalable design, robust and redundant system architecture, and the ability to operate in diverse marine environments.
-
How do we produces the most affordable desalinised water available?Huge energy savings correlate with affordability, cutting the levelised cost of water in half. In turn, less expensive desalination helps to secure the global water and food supply. In addition, Flocean™ uses 95 per cent less land than conventional systems.
-
Who would benefit from using Flocean Desal?Flocean Desal is ideally suited for island communities, agricultural sectors, and urban areas with limited freshwater resources, particularly in regions like the Mediterranean and other coastal areas with access to seawater. The technology requires access to water that is at least 400-600 meters deep and located within 10 kilometers from the shore.
-
How much fresh water can one installation produce?One Flocean Desal Pod can produce up to 7,500 m³/day of fresh water. Multiple pods can be installed per site to increase capacity up to 50,000 m3/day.
-
What is the environmental impact of this installation?Flocean has minimal environmental impact. It uses deep-sea water, which is naturally cleaner, reducing the need for extensive pre-treatment and chemicals. The energy consumption is significantly lower than others, resulting in reduced CO2 emissions.
-
How does this installation manage brine disposal?The brine is discharged at depths of 400-600 meters, far from biologically active areas, ensuring rapid diffusion and minimal environmental impact. The concentrate is chemical-free and only slightly more saline than ambient seawater.
-
How does this installation affect life underwater?The deep intake and outfall design minimizes the impact on marine life, avoiding areas with high biological activity. The system ensures that marine ecosystems are not disrupted by intake or discharge processes.
-
What technology is used in this installation?Flocean uses the ambient hydrostatic pressure at depth, where water is naturally pressurised to 40 to 50 bar. Pumps “suck” freshwater – rather than “push” seawater – through the RO membrane, reducing overall energy consumption by 40 - 50 %.
Municipal Fresh Water Supply: Solving Municipal water needs
IV. Applications and Benefits
The advancement of subsea desalination technology is setting a new benchmark in addressing the municipal water needs of urban populations globally. As water scarcity increases due to climate change and population growth, traditional water sources are proving insufficient. Subsea desalination offers a sustainable solution by leveraging the vast, underutilized resources of our oceans, providing deep sea drinking water. This method is particularly pivotal for municipalities striving to secure a reliable water supply while mitigating environmental impacts.
The technology's energy efficiency and minimal environmental impact make it an attractive option for urban water supply. By reducing reliance on traditional water sources and minimizing the ecological footprint, subsea desalination can help cities achieve long-term water sustainability.
The world’s largest desalination plant by volume, or at least one of the largest, is located in the United Arab Emirates, is a testament to the scale and effectiveness of this method. The Jebel Ali Desalination Plant in Dubai has a maximum capacity of 2.23 million cubic meters of water per day. The plant utilizes both multistage flash distillation (MSF) and reverse osmosis (RO) techniques to produce potable water. The Jebel Ali plant is a critical infrastructure asset for Dubai, supporting both its water and power needs
Most of the top 10 largest desalination plants in the world are primarily located in the Middle East, where they address severe water scarcity challenges on a massive scale. Other top plants include Ras Al Khair in Saudi Arabia and Sorek in Israel.
In the USA, the Carlsbad Desalination Plant in California is a prime example of how desalination is being utilized to meet municipal water demands. It is among the largest desalination plants in the United States, providing about 189,000 cubic meters of fresh water per day, catering to approximately 400,000 people. The plant employs reverse osmosis technology, which is currently the most widely used method due to its efficiency and effectiveness in removing contaminants from seawater. This technology is pivotal for cities like San Diego, which rely heavily on imported water sources.
The UK's approach to desalination includes the Thames Gateway Water Treatment Works, which can supply up to 150 million liters of potable water per day during drought conditions. This plant highlights the UK's commitment to integrating desalination into its water management strategies to ensure a consistent and reliable water supply for its urban populations.
Examples from Greece, Spain, France, Italy, and Cyprus demonstrate the diverse applications and benefits of subsea desalination. Mediterranean countries like Turkey, Morocco, and Algeria, facing significant water challenges, could greatly benefit from this technology. As the need for clean water solutions in developing countries grows, the role of subsea desalination in global water sustainability becomes increasingly critical.
Leading water desalination companies like Veolia Water Technologies and Suez are pioneering advancements in desalination techniques and have been instrumental in constructing and operating some of the largest desalination plants globally. These companies are not only enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of desalination processes but are also driving down costs through technological innovations.
One of the significant advantages of subsea desalination systems, such as those developed by Flocean, is their reduced environmental footprint. By utilizing the natural ambient pressure of deep-sea environments, Flocean’s Desal system achieves substantial energy savings and lower operational costs compared to traditional land-based plants
-
What do we do?We sell drinking water through our advanced subsea desalination technology. We use modular subsea desalination pods that are installed at depths of 400-600 meters. These pods leverage the natural hydrostatic pressure of the deep sea to reduce energy consumption significantly. Each pod has a capacity of up to 7,500 m³/day. Multiple pods can be deployed to scale up the water production capacity.
-
Why FLOCEANFlocean's subsea desalination technology leverages the natural hydrostatic pressure of deep-sea water, significantly reducing energy consumption and environmental impact, while providing high-quality, chemical-free fresh water. Key benefits include reduced energy consumption by 30-50%, minimal environmental impact, modular and scalable design, robust and redundant system architecture, and the ability to operate in diverse marine environments.
-
How do we produces the most affordable desalinised water available?Huge energy savings correlate with affordability, cutting the levelised cost of water in half. In turn, less expensive desalination helps to secure the global water and food supply. In addition, Flocean™ uses 95 per cent less land than conventional systems.
-
Who would benefit from using Flocean Desal?Flocean Desal is ideally suited for island communities, agricultural sectors, and urban areas with limited freshwater resources, particularly in regions like the Mediterranean and other coastal areas with access to seawater. The technology requires access to water that is at least 400-600 meters deep and located within 10 kilometers from the shore.
-
How much fresh water can one installation produce?One Flocean Desal Pod can produce up to 7,500 m³/day of fresh water. Multiple pods can be installed per site to increase capacity up to 50,000 m3/day.
-
What is the environmental impact of this installation?Flocean has minimal environmental impact. It uses deep-sea water, which is naturally cleaner, reducing the need for extensive pre-treatment and chemicals. The energy consumption is significantly lower than others, resulting in reduced CO2 emissions.
-
How does this installation manage brine disposal?The brine is discharged at depths of 400-600 meters, far from biologically active areas, ensuring rapid diffusion and minimal environmental impact. The concentrate is chemical-free and only slightly more saline than ambient seawater.
-
How does this installation affect life underwater?The deep intake and outfall design minimizes the impact on marine life, avoiding areas with high biological activity. The system ensures that marine ecosystems are not disrupted by intake or discharge processes.
-
What technology is used in this installation?Flocean uses the ambient hydrostatic pressure at depth, where water is naturally pressurised to 40 to 50 bar. Pumps “suck” freshwater – rather than “push” seawater – through the RO membrane, reducing overall energy consumption by 40 - 50 %.
Greece, Spain, France, Italy and Cyprus
V. Examining Key Markets Confronting Water Challenges
Greece
Greece faces considerable water challenges, particularly during the dry summer months when water demand peaks due to tourism. The country's reliance on groundwater and surface water sources has led to over-extraction, causing environmental degradation and salinization of aquifers. Water desalination, specifically subsea desalination, offers a promising water solution for Greece, providing a sustainable method to meet the growing water needs.
Subsea desalination projects, like those near Crete, are designed to utilize the country’s extensive coastal resources. These water desalination projects aim to provide a steady supply of clean water to local communities and the tourism industry, ensuring a reliable and sustainable source of fresh water.
Spain
Spain has established itself as a leader in desalination technology, with significant contributions from water desalination companies like Acciona Agua and Abengoa Water. The country has been at the forefront of developing and implementing reverse osmosis (RO) systems, which are widely recognized for their efficiency and effectiveness.
In addition to traditional desalination methods, Spain is exploring subsea desalination as an innovative approach to address water scarcity. Innovative projects in Spain also include integrating renewable energy sources, such as floating solar panels and offshore wind turbines, to power desalination plants. However, challenges include the high energy consumption of RO systems and the environmental impact of concentrate disposal.
France
France is exploring the potential of subsea desalination through various research initiatives and pilot projects. The National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) is conducting studies on the viability and environmental impact of deep-sea desalination units. These projects leverage France’s technological expertise and maritime resources to develop sustainable subsea desalination solutions.
Pilot projects in the Mediterranean are particularly promising, showcasing the benefits of subsea desalination, such as reduced energy consumption and minimal environmental impact. The consistent quality of deep-sea water, combined with advanced pre-treatment processes, ensures a reliable supply of potable water with lower operational costs. However, the high cost of subsea infrastructure and the technical challenges of deep-sea operations remain significant hurdles.
Italy
Italy faces significant water scarcity issues, especially in its southern regions. Offshore and subsea desalination techniques are being utilized to address these challenges effectively. Projects like the Sicily Desalination Initiative demonstrate the potential of these technologies to provide sustainable water solutions.
Case studies from Italy highlight the success of subsea desalination in preserving marine ecosystems while providing clean water. For example, the subsea desalination project off the coast of Sardinia has shown how deep-sea intake systems can reduce the environmental footprint by minimizing the impact on marine life. Despite these benefits, the high installation and maintenance costs of subsea systems pose challenges that need to be addressed through continued innovation and investment.
Cyprus
Cyprus has long struggled with water scarcity, driven by its Mediterranean climate and limited freshwater resources. The country has embraced both land-based and offshore water desalination solutions to address these challenges. Key projects, such as the Dhekelia Desalination Plant, utilize reverse osmosis technology to supply potable water to the island’s population.
Offshore water desalination is becoming increasingly important for Cyprus, with initiatives aimed at integrating renewable energy sources to power these plants. The use of solar and wind energy not only reduces the environmental impact but also ensures a more sustainable and reliable water supply. These advancements in water desalination are crucial for securing Cyprus's water future amidst growing demand and changing climate conditions.
VI. Conclusion
Subsea desalination holds immense potential to revolutionize water solutions across various sectors and countries. Examples from Greece, Spain, France, Italy, and Cyprus illustrate the diverse applications and benefits of this technology. Leading water desalination companies must continue to innovate to develop more efficient and sustainable systems. Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Morocco, and Algeria also face significant water challenges that could be mitigated through subsea desalination technologies.
As clean water solutions for developing countries become increasingly critical, the role of subsea desalination in global water sustainability cannot be overstated. However, desalination is not a comprehensive solution to water scarcity. It serves as one method to help bridge the gap between water supply and demand. For some communities around the world, desalination is already having a significant local impact. It is important to see desalination as one tool among many, and to achieve the greatest benefit, it should be used in combination with other strategies.
Israel offers a good example of this approach. They have invested heavily in seawater desalination while also improving efficiency, resulting in much lower per capita water usage compared to places like California or many parts of the United States. This efficient use of water reduced the urgency to build new plants, allowing them to construct smaller facilities, which in turn saved costs for the community.
Continued investment and innovation in the field of desalination is essential to address the growing water challenges and ensure a secure water future for more people.
VII. Investor Insights
The global water market is increasingly recognizing the importance of innovative desalination technologies like subsea desalination. A few years back, The bank Goldman Sachs predicted that water would be the petroleum of the 21st century.
For investors, the potential return on investment (ROI) is significant, given the growing demand for access to clean drinking water solutions and the competitive advantages of subsea systems. The financial benefits of investing in new subsea desalination technologies like Flocean Desal’s include reduced energy costs, lower operational expenses, and the ability to scale efficiently.
Successful implementations of subsea desalination systems demonstrate the technology's viability and potential for widespread adoption. Case studies highlight the economic and environmental benefits, showcasing how subsea desalination can address water scarcity while providing attractive investment opportunities.
VIII. Strategic Partnerships
Advancing subsea desalination technologies requires strategic partnerships and collaboration with other companies, research institutions, and government agencies. These partnerships are essential for driving innovation, securing funding, and expanding market reach. By working together, stakeholders can accelerate the development and deployment of subsea desalination systems, ensuring that the technology reaches its full potential.
Opportunities for collaboration include joint research and development projects, pilot programs, and partnerships with utilities and water management agencies. These collaborations can help demonstrate the effectiveness of subsea desalination and build the necessary infrastructure for large-scale implementation.
IX. Final Words
Desalination is a crucial tool in addressing water scarcity. Its reliability is becoming increasingly important, but it is not a complete solution and should be used alongside other techniques. Many water-scarce communities around the world already rely heavily on desalination. As climate change continues to impact our planet, the development of new technologies in desalination, such as those by Flocean, which reduce energy use, operational costs, and environmental harm, will play a significant role. With new technological advancements in subsea desalination, fresh water can be extracted from the ocean in a more environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, and cost-effective manner, making access to fresh water more affordable and accessible for municipal, industrial, and agricultural needs. By leveraging the unique conditions of the deep sea, subsea desalination overcomes the limitations of traditional methods and provides a path toward long-term water sustainability.
As water scarcity continues to pose a significant threat, the adoption of advanced desalination technologies like those developed by Flocean is crucial.
Flocean is spearheaded by a team of experts with extensive experience in subsea technology and water treatment. The company is a subsea technology spin-off from the Norwegian company FSubsea and Fuglesangs AS, leveraging more than 100 years of subsea processing experience in challenging pumping and dynamic sealing applications across various industries. They have delivered more than 70 subsea pumps, including 20 that are similar to those used in the Flocean system, with several operating at depths of up to 1000 meters. The Flocean Desal system has been validated by DNV, the world’s largest classification society focused on marine and offshore projects and technologies. The team is driven by a passion for creating positive change and addressing the global water crisis, committed to delivering effective and eco-friendly solutions for a better future for generations to come.
How desalination will fit into the future of clean water remains to be seen, but Flocean's innovative new technology is set to help steer it in the right direction.