Water Technology Innovation Institute and Research Advancement (WTIIRA), Saudi Water Authority (SWA) wins at Asian Water Awards 2025

WTIIRA institute achieved sustainable freshwater production through a pilot plant that uses dimethyl ether to deliver potable water without post-treatment.

Water Technology Innovation Institute and Research Advancement (WTIIRA), under the Saudi Water Authority (SWA), won the Engineering Excellence of the Year - Saudi Arabia at the Asian Water Awards 2025. The award recognised the institute’s hybrid desalination project that integrates Forward Osmosis (FO) with Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) for off-grid operation in arid regions.

WTIIRA pilot facility in Jubail has a treatment capacity of 24,000 liters per day and is the first to integrate FO with CSP using dimethyl ether (DME) as a draw solution. Unlike conventional reverse osmosis, the process removes the need for high-pressure pumps and costly recovery devices. Solar-driven thermal regeneration recovers DME in a closed loop, producing potable water of less than 150 ppm total dissolved solids without additional treatment.

The project tested three CSP configurations in parallel, two parabolic trough systems and one linear Fresnel system, to assess efficiency and performance under desert conditions. This benchmarking provides data for scale-up and future deployment in similar environments.

The process also addresses biofouling, one of the main issues in osmosis desalination. The thermal regeneration step recovers DME whilst sterilising the membranes. This extends operational life and reduces maintenance needs. An integrated control system manages the FO module, CSP supply, DME regeneration, and water collection.

A study published in Frontiers in Water in April 2025 reported that FO-CSP systems can deliver desalinated water at costs as low as $0.83/m3 under batch-mode operation, specifically in the parabolic trough configuration tested in Saudi conditions. This positions the technology as a competitive alternative to existing desalination methods in high-solar regions.

The King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE) supported the achievement, stating: “We are highly satisfied with the outcomes achieved by WTIIRA’s Clean Energy team in developing the FO-CSP pilot. The integration of DME and solar regeneration demonstrates real innovation in off-grid desalination. This project contributes towards our mission in incubating and developing innovative renewable energy technologies and applications, and supporting the deployment and localisation of sustainable energy.”

The Asian Water Awards highlights innovative water projects, initiatives, and organisations that contribute to improved water management, conservation, and sustainability in the region. It aims to promote best practices, foster knowledge sharing, and encourage collaborations across the industry.

The Asian Water Awards is presented by Asian Power Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2026 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's revolutionary innovations and initiatives in the water industry in Asia, please contact Danica Avila at [email protected].