<P> Electrodialysis utilizes electric potential to move the salts through pairs of charged membranes, which trap salt in alternating channels . </P> <P> Membrane distillation uses a temperature difference across a membrane to evaporate vapor from a salty brine solution and condense pure condensate on the colder side . </P> <P> CETO is a wave power technology that desalinates seawater using submerged buoys . Wave - powered desalination plants began operating on Garden Island in Western Australia in 2013 and in Perth in 2015 . </P> <P> Energy consumption of seawater desalination has reached as low as 3 kWh / m, including pre-filtering and ancillaries, similar to the energy consumption of other fresh water supplies transported over large distances, but much higher than local fresh water supplies that use 0.2 kWh / m or less . </P>

Where does power for the desalination plant come from and how much energy is required