Energy Recovery tech slated for new Australian desal plant

San Leandro, Calif.-based Energy Recovery (Nasdaq:ERII) said today its energy efficient technology is expected to implemented at the Southern Seawater Desalination Plant in western Australia.

The plant is being constructed by the Southern Seawater Alliance—a joint venture between Técnicas Reunidas Australia, Valoriza Water Australia, AJ Lucas Operations, and WorleyParsons Services. Financial details were not disclosed.

Located in Binningup, a small coastal town in western Australia, the plant is expected to generate 140,000 cubic meters (37 million gallons) of fresh water per day to residents of the greater Perth region.

Energy Recovery’s PX Pressure Exchanger devices offer energy efficiencies and help to reduce the carbon footprint of desalination, according to the company. The devices save more than 700 megawatts of energy and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 2.3 million tons annually worldwide, according to the company.

Energy Recovery, which specializes in developing energy recovery devices used in desalination, has more than 6,700 of its PX devices deployed or under contract to be installed on a global level (see Energy Recovery scores another desal contract and Energy Recovery in China desal contract).

The Southern Seawater Alliance expects to save more than 1,560 kilowatts of energy and offset more than 8,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually by using the PX technology. Today's announcement also marks the fourth desal plant in Australia to use the technology, with other facilities in Perth-Kwinana, Cape Preston and Adelaide.

Australia is looking to increase its water production capacity because of continued water shortages. Last month, Australian pipe manufacturer Tyco Water scored a A$150 million (US$120 million) contract to supply energy-efficient piping for Australia's largest desalination project, planned in the state of Victoria (see Tyco scores $120M contract at Australia's largest desal plant).

In late 2008, a desalination plant on the Gold Coast was nearing completion, expected to produce 125 mega liters (33 million gallons) of water per day (see Australia readies $1.2B desal plant).

The Gold Coast plant opening was delayed because of rust and valve problems. Although it started operating in February 2009, it has yet become fully operational. It is being investigated for defects in its construction.

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