An integrated system with functions of solar desalination, power generation and crop irrigation

Solar-driven water evaporation is a sustainable method for obtaining clean water, but the use of high-salinity seawater as a by-product of the desalination process has not been exploited. Here we present an integrated desalination–power generation–cultivation trinity system. All from solar energy, we could obtain fresh water, electric power and crop cultivation media. During the water evaporation, from highly enhanced salinity gradient, reverse electrodialysis allowed for extracting electric power and the drainage could be used to water wheat. The long-running desalination–power generation–cultivation trinity system maintained an evaporation efficiency of ~1.42 kg m−2 h−1, achieving a peak power output of ~0.25 W cm−2. Through an agriculture integration platform, the drainage was found to be suitable for wheat cultivation, thus enabling the seamless combination of solar, oceanic and terrestrial energy sources. This study provides promising solutions and blueprints for alleviating global water/energy scarcity while achieving sustainable development. Solar-driven water evaporation shows great potentials for obtaining clean water. An integrated system based on clean water–energy–food with solar-desalination, power generation and crop irrigation functions is a valuable strategy consistent with sustainable development.