Integrating reverse osmosis desalination as a flexible load in a nuclear–renewable hybrid energy system

This study investigates the techno-economic feasibility of coupling a reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plant with a nuclear-renewable hybrid energy system (Nu-R HES) consisting of a 150 MWe small modular reactor (SMR), a 100 MWe solar photovoltaic (Solar PV) plant, and a 600 MWe hydroelectric power plant (HPP) for the seaport region of Durrës, Albania. In the proposed configuration, the RO plant functions as a flexible load that utilises surplus electricity from the Nu-R HES together with low-grade waste heat from the SMR for seawater preheating. Monte Carlo simulation is used to evaluate technical and economic performance under uncertainty over a 25-year project lifetime. The results indicate that the proposed configuration can achieve a cost of desalinated water (CODW) within the range reported for nuclear-powered desalination systems. The proposed configuration demonstrates a promising pathway toward decarbonisation, energy security, and water resilience for coastal and seaport regions.