随着淡水资源日益紧张， 许多沿海社区都在寻找海水 海水淡化以增加供应，满足日益增长的需求 需要海水淡化是一项能源密集型项目 然而，这一过程需要能源费用核算 对于工艺运行成本的很大一部分。这 这篇文章着眼于影响能源消耗的因素 并讨论了海水淡化的设计和技术 可以提高效率的发展。 尽管给水的盐度会影响 脱盐过程中消耗的能量 也会受到回收率、流量、， 膜类型、辅助工艺、设备类型、， 和能量回收装置。为了提高效率， 公用事业公司必须考虑设备的设计和运行 所有这些组件。 介绍了海水淡化技术的最新进展 使该工艺更节能、更具成本效益。 水供应商可以通过优化 促进能源效率的系统设计，以便， 最终，更多的社区可以从经济上利用这些资源 进入未开发的供应源。包括19个参考文献、表格、图表。

As freshwater sources become increasingly stressed, many coastal communities are looking to seawater desalination to augment their supplies and meet growing demand. Seawater desalination is an energy-intensive process, however, with energy expenses accounting for a significant part of the process operating cost. This article looks at the factors affecting energy consumption for seawater desalination and discusses design and technological developments that can improve efficiency. Although the salinity of the feedwater affects the energy consumed during desalination, energy consumption is also influenced by such factors as recovery, flux, membrane type, ancillary processes, type of equipment, and energy-recovery devices. To improve efficiency, utilities must take into account design and operation of all these components. Recent advances in desalination technology are making the process more energy-efficient and cost-effective. Water providers can do their part by optimizing system design to foster energy efficiency so that, ultimately, more communities can economically tap into untapped sources of supply. Includes 19 references, table, figures.