Engineering Doctorate (EngD), Sustainable Wind Powered Desalination for Drinking Water Production

At the forefront of tackling two of the most pressing global challenges—water scarcity and the transition to renewable energy—DOT, Delft Offshore Turbine, is driving innovative, sustainable solutions. With the rapid expansion of offshore wind farms, there is a critical need for alternatives to traditional electrical carriers. Combining Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO), i.e. desalination, with wind energy is one of the solutions, significantly reducing the CO2 footprint of conventional desalination processes while providing fresh (drinking) water. DOT has pioneered a unique pump technology that enables wind turbines to directly pressurize water, eliminating the intermediate step of electricity generation. This pressurized water is then utilized to power SWRO installations for desalination. However, a key technical challenge remains: managing the variability of wind power while ensuring a reliable supply of fresh (drinking) water.

The EngD candidate will work closely with DOT and will design, implement, and test innovative solutions that address wind variability while procucing a constant flow of fresh water at the right pressures for water transport. The role also involves conducting risk assessments, asset management planning, and techno-economic evaluations to assess the feasibility of the proposed solutions.

The candidate will combine theoretical knowledge, supported by the educational programme of the EngD, with professional experience and apply it to pilot installations inside and outside the Netherlands. Alongside scientific research, the candidate will collaborate with partners to identify operational needs and implement prototypes of the developed solutions. Regular site visits to partner locations will be part of the project.