Innovative system for medium scale water desalination 100% powered by renewable energies

W2W – WIND AND SOLAR

Project Description

W2W –water to water- is the first water desalination system fully off-grid and fully powered by renewable energies (wind & solar).

Seawater represents an inexhaustible resource to produce drinking water. However, conventional desalination techniques are extremely energy-intensive that are designed for large-scale capacity plants. Its cost is prohibitive for zones than require a smaller production of water. W2W is an innovative option for obtaining safe drinking water from seawater, brackish water or even polluted groundwater.

The system consists of a wind turbine connected to a heat pump that is powered by solar energy when wind flow decreases, thus 100% powered by renewable energies. The thermal energy created by the power unit is used in a state-of-the-art membrane distillation system to evaporate and then condense feedwater from a water source to create fresh, pure water.

A single unit of W2W can desalinate more than 95,000 litres of water a day, which can provide drinking water for more than 800 people without any grid connection. Water is produced locally directly where it is needed, without the need for long distribution nets and associated energy costs.

The W2W system is directed to coastal municipalities in the Mediterranean that need to increase their water purification capacity. Disaster relieve and emergency response operations can also benefit from W2W: it provides drinking water without the need of any energy/fuel supply, exactly the things that are normally lacking in such areas.

Project Details

  • Call: H2020-SMEINST-1-2016-2017
  • Phase: Phase I
  • Grant Agreement: 775020
  • Company: Rainmaker Worldwide
  • Starting date: June 2017
  • Duration: 4 months
  • Link: Cordis