Technologies that are used mainly in the seawater desalination industry are reviewed and evaluated in this paper. The utilization principles, applications and problems of solar and nuclear energy in desalination are respectively summarized and discussed with emphasis. Other alternative energies such as wind, hydro-energy and ocean energy are also presented. Applying alternative energy integration technologies in seawater desalination as a key proponent to meet the future challenges of sustainable development and/or energy issue was also discussed. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.