오만은 술탄(sultanate)의 담수화를 위한 신재생에너지 활용에 대한 연구자금 지원을 승인했다. 이번 연구는 오만연구위원회가 최근 발표한 ‘신재생에너지 연구 전략 프로그램’에 의한 것으로 신문보도에 따르면 국내 물수요를 충족하기 위해 오만의 에너지 집약 산업, 가스연료 담수화 등에 의존해 완화 수단을 찾을 방침이다.

이번 연구계획서는 의회로부터 자금을 유치할 가능성이 있으며, 태양광발전 역삼투압 및 염분이 섞인 담수화 등 해수를 이용한 태양광발전 담수화를 통해 복합적인 효과를 나타낸다. 또한 관개를 위한 해수담수화 기술을 추가해 제습·탈습 장치의 성능을 향상시키는 제안을 포함할 예정이다.

Oman has approved funding for research into harnessing renewable energy sources for water desalination in the sultanate.

The research, under the Oman Research Council's recently launched Renewable Energy Research Strategy Programme, will seek means to alleviate Oman's over dependence on energy-intensive, gas-fired desalination to meet domestic water demand according to a national newspaper report.

The research proposals likely to attract funding from the council include solar power member desalination using seawater; solar photovoltaic powered reverse osmosis brackish water desalination; and solar powered multiple effect distillation using seawater. It will also include proposals that aim to enhance the performance of humidification and dehumidification units, and desalination technologies for irrigation, it added.
 
"The Council's vision is to encourage high-quality scientific, experimental research to seek and propose real solutions for national challenges of renewable energy and energy efficiency," said programme manager, Dr Ahmed Said Al Busaidi.
 
"Pilot research initiatives planned as part of this programme will enhance capacity building and knowledge transfer, as well as contribute to the comprehensive sustainable development of Oman," he said.

 

[출처 = Desalination & Water Reuse / 2015년 8월 8일]