Dessalinização como alternativa sustentável: análise multi-critério de apoio à decisão

Marisa Barreto

Key information

Authors:

Marisa Barreto (Marisa Barreto Fernandes)

Supervisors:

Maria do Céu de Sousa Teixeira de Almeida (Maria do Céu de Sousa Teixeira de Almeida); António Nuno Fernandes Gonçalves Henriques (António Nuno Fernandes Gonçalves Henriques)

Published in

November 19, 2007

Abstract

The following work had the main objective of evaluating the applicability of desalination, identifying the adequate circumstances to install a plant. Therefore, in an initial stage, a bibliographic revision was composed and a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis was applied. Subsequently, a methodology of multiple criteria decision analysis was employed in a case-study to uphold the selection of the most sustainable desalination technology for the region of Algarve. For this decision analysis it was chosen the MACBETH (Measuring Attractiveness by a Categorical Based Evaluation Technique) approach. The obtained results allowed a sensitivity and robustness analysis, and the model results can be considered overall robust. The final ordination of the alternatives, in terms of non-economical benefits, and the cost-benefit analysis enables to resume the most important aspects for a decision maker that represents a company responsible for supplying potable water. The final results indicate that Solar MED is more scored, in terms of non-economic benefits. In cost-benefit analysis, the decision maker has chosen the Conventional technologies due to high cost of Solar MED. Desalination of seawater offers a potential for water supply enhancement in the Algarve and cannot be seen has a unique solution. Solar MED should be the option for the Algarve in a medium term, because costs of renewable energies aren?t yet competitive. As a result of the work in hand, conclusions emerged and recommendations were presented for future research. There were also suggested measures of environmental mitigation impacts for this desalination plant selected for the Algarve.