Solar Dome’ to power sustainable water desalination at NEOM

Solar Dome’ to power sustainable water desalination at NEOM

NEOM , the flagship project of Saudi Arabia's post-oil diversification plan, recently announced that it would be adopting a pioneering solar technology to produce cost-effective, environmentally-friendly water.. Carbon Netural TechnologyAt an estimated $0.34/m3, the cost of producing water via 'solar dome' technology will be significantly lower than desalination plants using reverse osmosis methods.. The technology will also significantly reduce the impact on the environment by producing more concentrated brine, a potentially harmful by-product of the water extraction process, according to a statement on the NEOM website.. The process sees seawater pumped into a hydrological 'solar dome' made from glass and steel, before it is superheated, evaporated and eventually precipitated as fresh water.. With the help of stored solar energy, the desalination process which can be done during the night, will reduce the total amount of brine that is created during the water extraction process.. Working together with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture we can expand the implementation of this technology beyond NEOM," he added.. Work on the first solar dome is expected to be completed by the end of 2020..