The serious issue of drought could find a solution through processes desalination (the process through which sea water is made drinkable), already adopted in many countries, with very low costs and with systems that can also use renewable sources. Instead in Italy stumbling blocks emerge unfavorable regulatory frameworks e burdens in the authorization procedures.
The theme is highlighted by Althesys (independent environmental consultancy company, with the Water Strategy think tank) and Acciona with the study “Desalination, a response to the water crisis”, which takes stock of the state of the art in the world and the real opportunities of this type of solution. Meanwhile Webuild, the Italian multinational of major works, will shortly present a project to the government and institutions with concrete solutions to be implemented in the short term.
“Desalination is today a real and quickly implementable response to the water emergency – explains the economist Alessandro Marangoni -. It is an industrially mature technology, economically competitive and sustainable thanks to research and the complementarity with renewable energies".
Desalination: an adequate regulatory framework is needed
The Government is busy in these days to intervene on the grave drought affecting Italy, focusing mainly on water saving and water infrastructure efficiency measures. In fact, there are technologies that are already consolidated, capable of "producing" new water and thus mitigating the thirst of the territories. Among these, one of the most established is desalination.
“It is an instrument which, however, does not seem to enjoy the favors of the executive: in the recent Law "Savemare" not only is he not promoted, but he even seems to be penalized by a burden of the authorization process“, argues the study by Althesys.
“Despite the economic and environmental reasons that support it, this solution is instead held back by a regulatory framework and unfavorable socio-political. To develop it, therefore, greater attention is needed from institutions and local authorities on the infrastructural front and an adequate regulatory framework” adds Marangoni.
Webuild's proposal for immediate intervention is coming
Webuild, one of the world leaders in infrastructure in the water sector, will shortly present a proposal to the authorities to try to solve the problem of drought in Italy as well.
"We want to promote an integrated project that allows the country to solve this endemic problem that is getting worse and worse", said the CEO of Webuild Pietro Salini, adding that the subsidiary Fisia "has already built most of the desalination plants in the Middle East, making life possible in cities reclaimed from the desert like Abu Dhabi or in cities with high water consumption like Dubai".
“Water scarcity in Italy is a historical and not just a temporary phenomenon linked to climate change“, continues Salini. "Immediate and structural intervention is needed to resolve once and for all the country's state of profound water crisis, taking advantage of the positive momentum for the construction of infrastructures and the experience of institutional and entrepreneurial subjects, who together can make themselves available to the country and the Italians to provide solutions to the problem, also by resorting to resources from the PNRR".
The opportunities and costs of desalination
Desalination plants have benefited in recent years from a considerable improvement of the processes and the development of materials which have allowed the reduction of costs.
Already in 2019 the cost of a plant (between investment, management and electricity) had fallen below 3 dollars per cubic meter for the first time, but then in 2020 it saw a new all-time low at 1,5 dollars per cubic metresays Althesys.
Furthermore, from an energy point of view, desalination can offer synergies with renewables: arid areas, where desalination plants are more used, are also those with the greatest solar radiation and therefore more suitable for the adoption of photovoltaic systems. The combination of desalination plants, solar, wind, CSP and thermoelectric generation makes it possible to limit emissions, reduce energy costs and their volatility linked to fuels.
The race in the world and in Europe
Desalination has experienced strong growth over the last half century, with an average annual rate of 8%. As of 2020, desalination is employed in 183 countries. Nearly half of the total capacity (47,5%) is installed in Middle Eastern countries, says the Althesys study.
Globally about 16.000 plants are operational, for a total capacity of over 78 million cubic meters per day.
In Europe, it is above all the Mediterranean countries that are interested in this process, which in fact has seen considerable development especially in Spain, where around 2021 plants have been installed as of 765. Among these, even large-scale installations serving important urban areas, as in the case of Barcelona.
PNRR could be the golden opportunity
Italy has ideal characteristics for the development of desalination, notes the study. On the one hand there are many areas subject to chronic water scarcity, on the other in Italy the coastline is among the largest in the world: yet desalination accounts for only 0,1% of total water withdrawals.
Not only that: in the islands, in situ desalination is also cheaper than transport. The cost of desalinated water in fact, it stands at 2-3 euros/m3, while the price of a cubic meter of water transported by ship is around much higher levels, around 13-14 euros. Many islands are starting to acquire them.
Also in this sector the PNRR this could be a golden opportunity: in fact, the plan identifies four investment items with the aim of "guaranteeing the security of supply and the sustainable management of water resources along the entire cycle" for total resources of 4,38 billion euro, about 51% in the South (Mission 2 Component 4), of which slightly less than half are dedicated to "primary water infrastructures for the security of the water supply".
“With 97% of the Earth's available water coming from the sea, desalination can play a major role in combating drought. A technology of this type, given the succession of extreme heat phenomena in the summer, should be taken into consideration and supported among the solutions necessary to increase potential water reserves", concludes Althesys.
