Integrating Economic and Environmental Analysis for Sustainable Systems: A Comprehensive Framework for Power Generation and Desalination Using Solar and Geothermal Resources

Abstract

This study thoroughly examines a technology that uses geothermal and solar energy to generate freshwater and electricity simultaneously. It explores this novel system’s economic and environmental facets. To assess the thermodynamic properties of the system, a complex thermodynamic model is created using MATLAB and verified using Thermoflex software. Using known relationships, the equipment’s weight and capital cost are determined. The study looks at energy, exergy, and emergency, among other features of the geothermal–solar power plant. It also looks into how operational parameters affect the system’s functionality. Remarkably, the results of the study indicate that there is no discernible effect on energy and exergy efficiencies from changing the temperature in the linear parabolic trough collector’s outlet flow. Additionally, this analysis pinpoints the elements that cause the greatest energy loss and provides insightful suggestions for enhancing system functionality and cutting down on waste. The study’s findings highlight how important it is to take economic and environmental considerations into account when planning and running systems that simultaneously generate electricity and freshwater. According to the study, the economic emergy rate rose from 5.83 × 10¹³ to 5.76 × 10¹³ SeJ/h and the environmental emergy rate climbed from 4.80 × 10¹² to 5.31 × 10¹² SeJ/h when the temperature in flow 4 increased from 350°C to 400°C.