Comparison of the Cost of Co-Production of Power and Desalinated Water from Different Power Cycles

P. Asiedu-Boateng, B. J. B. Nyarko, S. Yamoah, F. Ameyaw, K. Tuffour-Acheampong

Graduate School of Nuclear & Allied Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
National Nuclear Research Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Accra, Ghana.

DOI: 10.4236/epe.2013.51004                

Abstract

The worldwide demand for portable water is steadily growing due to population, industrial and agricultural growth, the result is water shortages that are already reaching serious proportions in many parts of the world. This is particularly true in Ghana where there is an increasing reliance on bottled water due to shortage of safe, fresh drinking water. Nuclear and conventional co-production of electricity and portable water has been identified as key solution to the perennial water shortages in coastal towns in Ghana. A reliable desalination cost date catering for site-specific condition in Ghana is required for policy makers, planners, consultants, process engineers, plant suppliers and researchers. This present paper is aims comparing the cost of co-production of power and portable water using reverse osmosis (RO) plant coupled with both nuclear and fossil power plant operating under different cycles using the desalination economic evaluation programme (DEEP4.0) developed by the international atomic energy agency (IAEA). The study concentrates on conditions of seawater in Accra, Ghana. Results show that co-production nuclear power plant operating on steam cycle can be the most economic among a number of power-water production options.

Keywords

Cogeneration; Power; Desalination; Economic Comparison

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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