Part 3/12:
The Process Unpacked
The system uses focused sunlight—likely via solar concentrators—to heat seawater directly, generating steam. This high-temperature steam powers turbines to produce electricity. Instead of sending the brine back into the ocean, it undergoes crystallization into salt, which can be sold or stored. Notably, the process incorporates heat recovery systems: the residual heat from the condensation phase is used to preheat incoming seawater, improving efficiency.
This elegant cycle represents a significant departure from traditional methods, which often rely on reverse osmosis or multi-stage flash distillation—methods notorious for high energy use and environmentally damaging brine disposal.