Design and analysis of a hybrid powered reverse osmosis water system for use in a remote location in Newfoundland

Abstract

Remote communities such as McCallum, Newfoundland and Labrador, face critical challenges in accessing clean water and reliable electricity. Persistent water shortages, combined with lead contamination from naturally occurring soil, have rendered conventional solutions ineffective. Additionally, the community lacks grid access and depends entirely on diesel generators, which are expensive, emission-intensive, and often unreliable. To address these issues, this thesis presents the design, simulation, and implementation of a hybrid-powered reverse osmosis (RO) water treatment system. The work is structured in three phases. First, an optimal hybrid energy system (HES) was developed using HOMER Pro software, combining photovoltaic panels, a wind turbine, battery storage, and a small DC diesel generator for backup. This system reduced net present cost by over 70% compared to diesel-only operation and achieved a 98.8% renewable energy fraction, significantly cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Second, dynamic simulations in MATLAB/Simulink validated system stability and reliable power delivery to the RO unit under varying environmental conditions. Third, a low-cost and low-power SCADA system was implemented using LoRa-enabled ESP32 modules for long-range communication and a local MQTT broker with web-based FUXA for visualization and monitoring. This architecture supports real-time monitoring and two-way control without relying on internet or cellular connectivity. The complete system was tested in the lab under various operational scenarios, confirming its ability to deliver clean, reliable, and low-emission power. This thesis offers a scalable and replicable model for resilient energy infrastructure in off-grid, resource-constrained communities.