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Diploma · 800 h · 8 modules
Diploma in Renewable-Powered Desalination
The Diploma in Renewable-Powered Desalination Prepares you to design and assess desalination plants powered by renewable energy. You will study the energy demand of desalination, coupling with solar PV, solar thermal and wind, eme
Duration800 h
FormatOnline
Starts16 November
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
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Programme overview
What is the Diploma in Renewable-Powered Desalination?
The Diploma in Renewable-Powered Desalination
Prepares you to design and assess desalination plants powered by renewable energy. You will study the energy demand of desalination, coupling with solar PV, solar thermal and wind, emerging proposals using wave energy, storage and the flexible operation of reverse osmosis plants, and the technical and economic viability of grid-connected and off-grid systems.
Key advantages
- Water and energy: Brings together two key sectors of the green transition.
- Every source: Solar, wind, marine energy and hybrid systems.
- Flexible operation: How to adapt a plant to variable power.
- Off-grid systems: Solutions for islands, remote coasts and emergencies.
- Case study: Sizing a renewable-powered desalination plant.
Programme type
Diploma
Study mode
Online
Duration
800 hours
Modules
8
Programme highlights
- Understand the energy: Analyse the energy consumption of each desalination technology.
- Integrate renewables: Couple plants with solar, wind and hybrid systems.
- Manage variability: Apply storage and flexible operation.
- Assess projects: Work out technical and economic viability.
- Boost your career: Open doors to water, energy and engineering companies.
- Train to produce water with clean energy where it is needed most.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 8 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Energy and Desalination
- Energy needs of desalination
- Thermal and membrane processes
- Specific energy consumption
- Carbon footprint of desalinated water
- The thermodynamic minimum
- Energy recovery
- Efficiency indicators
- The water-energy nexus
02
Solar PV-Powered Desalination
- The solar resource and its variability
- Sizing the PV array
- Direct coupling with reverse osmosis
- Power electronics and drives
- Battery-backed systems
- Battery-free systems
- Maintenance in a marine environment
- Examples of application
03
Solar Thermal Desalination
- Solar thermal collectors
- Solar stills
- Multi-effect distillation
- Solar membrane distillation
- Humidification-dehumidification
- Thermal storage
- Using waste heat
- Advantages and limitations
04
Wind, Marine Energy and Hybrid Systems
- The coastal wind resource
- Coupling wind with reverse osmosis
- Wave energy for desalination
- Offshore desalination concepts
- Hybrid solar-wind systems
- Back-up generators
- Microgrids
- Maturity of each option
05
Flexible Operation and Storage
- Variable-load operation
- Effects on membranes
- Frequent start-ups and shutdowns
- Water storage as energy storage
- Batteries and other technologies
- Demand management
- Control systems
- Responding to the grid
06
Off-Grid Systems and Remote Communities
- Water needs on islands and remote coasts
- Compact and modular plants
- Containerised units
- Systems for emergencies
- Water quality and post-treatment
- Operation by local staff
- Simplified maintenance
- Community water management
07
Economic and Environmental Viability
- Levelised cost of water
- Levelised cost of energy
- Capital and operating costs
- Comparison with conventional supply
- Emissions avoided
- Brine management
- Project finance
- Sensitivity analysis
08
Case Study: A Renewable-Powered Desalination Plant
- Defining water demand
- Assessing the renewable resource
- Selecting the desalination technology
- Sizing the energy system
- Operating and storage strategy
- Cost estimate
- Environmental assessment
- Presenting the case
Workload
Study Time and Workload
800 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Industrial, chemical or energy engineers: who want to specialise in renewable desalination Water utility staff: looking to reduce their energy footprint Renewable energy professionals: interested in new applications Development and emergency response specialists: working in areas without safe drinking water Consultants and public bodies: planning water supply for coasts and islands
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Analyse desalination energy
- 02Know the applicable renewables
- 03Design the coupling
- 04Manage variability
- 05Size small plants
- 06Assess viability
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Renewable desalination project engineer: Designing hybrid plants.
02Water energy efficiency specialist: Cutting consumption at desalination plants.
03Off-grid systems specialist: Water for islands and remote communities.
04Water and energy consultant: Feasibility studies.
05Development specialist: Water access projects.
06Renewable project developer: New applications in the water sector.
Questions
Entry Requirements
Reverse osmosis powered by renewable electricity, mainly solar PV and wind, is the most widespread; the diploma compares all the options.
Yes, using flexible operation and water storage strategies, though with limitations that the programme examines.
Yes, as an emerging technology, with a realistic view of its state of development.
Yes. One module is devoted to off-grid systems and remote communities.
You size a renewable-powered desalination plant, from water demand through to costs.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 800 hours of study. You can work at your own pace within the timetable we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by our admissions team when you enquire.
On completing the programme you receive the Diploma in Renewable-Powered Desalination qualification awarded by Navalis Magna Institute.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Entry profile: A degree in industrial, energy, chemical or environmental engineering or a related field; or professional experience in the water or energy sectors. Language: A good working level of English to follow classes and materials. Technical requirements: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a webcam for live sessions and project presentations. Admissions process: Online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team. We confirm your start date when you enquire.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Leave your details and admissions will write back. If you already know this is the one, go straight to the application and pay in the same session.