In this paper, the design of a system providing electricity by coupling photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) collectors and a wind turbine (WT), sanitary hot water (SHW) coming from the PVT and evacuated tube collectors (ETCs) and fresh water (FW) produced in two seawater desalting facilities (membrane distillation, MD, and reverse osmosis, RO), has been carefully analyzed by means of a dynamic model developed in TRNSYS^®. This analysis is compulsory to operate a lab-scale pilot plant that is being erected at Zaragoza, Spain. A new model-type has been included in TRNSYS^® in order to include the MD unit in the scheme. A sensitivity analysis of some free-design variables, such that the ETC surface, PVT and ETC tilt, water storage tank, batteries capacities, and mass flow rates delivered to the SHW service and/or feeding the MD unit has been performed in order to propose the definite design of the scheme. The proposed base case was able to produce up to 15,311 L per year in the MD system and cover an electric energy demand of 1890 kWh. Coverage of SHW, water (including RO and MD) and power is respectively 99.3%, 100% and 70%. However, daily and yearly assessment of FW, SHW and power produced with the optimized design gave a better coverage of water and energy demands for a typical single family home. The improved and definite design was able to increase its MD production in 35% and the electric energy in 7% compared with base case.

Electrodialysis (ED) is a reliable technique to produce drinking water from brackish raw water sources. If the ED unit is fed by a photovoltaic (PV) generator, water production maybe also understood as sustainable. In this paper, the feasibility of a small and easily operating batch ED pilot plant powered by PV modules or by a rectifier (electrical grid connection) was studied in depth. First, a mathematical model was implemented in order to predict the batch ED-FV pilot plant behavior. Then, numerous tests were carried out at the experimental installation. Some relevant parameters were studied: the influence of NaCl concentration (600–10,000 ppm), the applied voltage (8–12 V), and the configuration of PV array, as well as environmental conditions. Different optimal operating conditions were investigated depending on the batch ED energy source: if the ED stack was fed by the rectifier, the lowest specific energy consumption or maximal production was followed. On the contrary, when it was fed by the PV array, the maximum power production of the PV modules was pursued. This maximum PV power depended on irradiation, ambient temperature, and solutions concentration, and consequently varied along any test.