Predictive Control Applied to a Solar Desalination Plant Connected to a Greenhouse with Daily Variation of Irrigation Water Demand

The water deficit in the Mediterranean area is a known matter severely affecting agriculture. One way to avoid the aquifers’ exploitation is to supply water to crops by using thermal desalination processes. Moreover, in order to guarantee long-term sustainability, the required thermal energy for the...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lidia Roca, Jorge A. Sánchez, Francisco Rodríguez, Javier Bonilla, Alberto de la Calle, Manuel Berenguel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2016-03-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/9/3/194
Description
Summary:The water deficit in the Mediterranean area is a known matter severely affecting agriculture. One way to avoid the aquifers’ exploitation is to supply water to crops by using thermal desalination processes. Moreover, in order to guarantee long-term sustainability, the required thermal energy for the desalination process can be provided by solar energy. This paper shows simulations for a case study in which a solar multi-effect distillation plant produces water for irrigation purposes. Detailed models of the involved systems are the base of a predictive controller to operate the desalination plant and fulfil the water demanded by the crops.
ISSN:1996-1073