# The Synergy of Renewable Energy and Desalination:
## 1 Introduction
Moreover, the intermittency of renewable energy sources like solar and wind can pose operational challenges for desalination plants, affecting their efficiency and reliability. Furthermore, integrating complex treatment for seawater, filtration, and wastewater treatment technologies into RES-powered desalination systems requires careful planning and innovative engineering solutions. Several renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, and geothermal, are combined with various desalination techniques in hybrid RES desalination systems. This is a growing practice. These hybrid systems are designed to reduce the intermittent character of individual renewable sources, increase reliability, and maximize energy efficiency [23]. The fluctuation of RES during electricity production poses a threat to the safety and reliability of the power grid and can negatively impact the desalination process. Energy storage systems (ESS) are becoming crucial for the broad integration of renewable energy sources into power generation, preserving the electrical grid's security, and facilitating the energy system's transition to a more environmentally friendly state [24]. Recent developments have incorporated advanced energy storage technologies like batteries and thermal storage devices to address the unpredictability of RES. By helping to keep the supply of energy for desalination processes stable, these systems ensure a steady flow of water. Based on how a particular type of energy is used for storage, the different types of ESS can be categorized. Mechanical technologies, such as flywheels (FESS), compressed air (CAESS), hydro-pumped (HPESS), and thermal technologies, such as high-temperature storage (HT-ESS) and latent heat storage (LHESS), are among the most utilized. One important part of energy storage systems is battery storage systems or BESS. For instance, a battery energy storage system in conjunction with RES can be a cost-effective solution for powering a desalination plant. According to the Statista Research Department, 57 GW of battery energy storage devices will be constructed by 2030, only in Europe [25]. Another issue is that desalination systems need a lot of energy to operate. The energy-intensive nature of desalination processes necessitates a focus on optimizing energy use, particularly when integrating RES such as solar and wind power. Numerous studies have examined the integration of renewable energy sources primarily concentrating on specific energy sources or desalination methods. This has resulted in a fragmented understanding of how various renewable energy technologies could be combined in a synergistic way to improve desalination sustainability and efficiency. Furthermore, when adopting these combined structures on a larger scale, most research studies usually omit a comprehensive analysis of their advantages and disadvantages. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the current state of energy efficiency in desalination systems, highlighting the importance of hybridization of renewable energy sources. In addition, this study offers a fresh perspective on desalination's future, focusing on the use of diverse renewable energy sources to improve economic viability, sustainability, and efficiency.