As concerns about water scarcity in the United States grow, desalination—which turns salt water into fresh water—could be the answer to providing new sources for drinking, irrigation, and other uses. Yet, the amount of energy needed to separate salt from water can be expensive and negatively impact the environment.
Thanks to two new funding awards, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) researchers will collaborate with other partners to improve the energy efficiency of desalination and water reuse technologies across the country. The awards are part of the $9 million National Alliance for Water Innovation (NAWI) Pilot Program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office.
“From developing novel membranes that filter out undesirable residues to analyzing methods to decarbonize water and wastewater treatment, NREL is working at the forefront of providing cost-effective and sustainable alternative water sources to meet U.S. demand,” said Matt Ringer, NREL Program Manager.