Objective
As only 3% of the world is freshwater and a growing population, (expected to hit 9.7 billions in 2050) it means that there is a growing problem with shortage of fresh water according to UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs 2015. The problem has been addressed so far by converting seawater into freshwater through desalination by using fossil fuels. It has been necessary to do this as the population of the earth shares the same 35 million km3 out of the 1.4 billion km3 water there is. Yet, this raise a new problem as the fossil fuel emits pollutants and speeds up climate change which in turn makes the water shortage problem even worse as it results in higher temperatures and droughts. Solar Water Plc has found another solution. In a laboratory it has been researched and tested that it is possible to use solar power to produce fresh water, suitable for drinking. The laboratory model can now be turned into a real world prototype; Field Demonstrator Model. This project aims at collecting real world data and creating designs for a fully functioning sea water desalination dome, powered 100% by solar energy to create sustainable fresh water for industrial, municipal, agricultural and domestic use. By using concentrated solar power, the technology avoids fossil fuels, is low cost, carbon neutral and low on emission of pollutants. It is the hope that the model can be sold commercially within one year. When entering the market it will have a long list of positive effects on the climate and help people in Europe and the world by facilitating access to clean water, be environmentally friendly, low cost and creating new jobs across sectors. The dome can be adapted to the customers’ needs, economy and local conditions and is powered 100% by solar, replacing fossil fuels, also in existing plants. By being low cost due to solar energy, it allows poorer communities to access the technology and hire local workers to build and maintain the plants thus creating jobs.
Fields of science
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental scienceshydrology
- social sciencespolitical sciencepolitical policypublic policy
- engineering and technologymaterials engineering
- engineering and technologychemical engineeringseparation technologiesdesalination
- engineering and technologycivil engineering
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energysolar energy
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changes
- agricultural sciencesanimal and dairy science
Programme(s)
Call for proposal
H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-1
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
EC2M 5PS London
United Kingdom