Seawater RO membrane energy consumption is related to site-specific salinity and temperature (as
previously discussed) and other design-specific characteristics such as hydraulic loading rates (flux) and
the percentage of feed water recovered. The primary power-consuming devices are the pumps required to
achieve the feed pressure needed to facilitate the reverse osmosis process. The range of pressures listed
in Table 2 is typical for the United States. Elsewhere in the world – for example, in the Middle East, where
salinity can be significantly higher – the net energy required (including recovered energy) will increase 15 to
20% above those values contained in Table 2. For lower salinity applications, there is an associated
decrease in power demand. Coastal embayment areas under the influence of river or other surface water
runoff will require, at a minimum, 15 to 20% less power.