The problem, of course, is utilization. Amortized capital costs for desalination runs about 40%,[0] so if you "charge" for 12 hours and "discharge" for 12 hour

The problem, of course, is utilization. Amortized capital costs for desalination runs about 40%,[0] so if you "charge" for 12 hours and "discharge" for 12 hours then your facility doubles in size, so your desalination cost increase by (at least) 40%. This doesn't even account for added maintenance btw. If you charge for 6 hours (ie the solar peak) and discharge for 18 hours, you need a facility 4x as large, and your desalination costs increase by at least 160%. Desalination isn't 'free' energy storage. [0] https://www.advisian.com/en/global-perspectives/the-cost-of-desalination https://www.advisian.com/en/global-perspectives/the-cost-of-...