‍Star Wars-Inspired Tech Tackles Water Scarcity Innovatively

In 2016, the Indian city of Kozhikode, alternatively known as Calicut, faced a severe drought, restricting residents like Swapnil Shrivastav to a meager daily water allowance. According to him, they were limited to fetching two buckets of water daily from communal tanks. While Shrivastav acknowledges that water supply problems are not unusual in India, that particular month posed significant challenges for him and fellow residents due to the unbearable humidity in the region.

In 2012, prior to the drought, Mr. Shrivastav demonstrated his concern for water scarcity by winning a student competition envisioning future water management in cities. However, the drought experience propelled him to actively seek solutions. He drew inspiration from "Star Wars," particularly the concept of air to water technology. This curiosity prompted him to initiate a project. Fast forward to 2019, Shrivastav, along with Govinda Balaji and Venkatesh Raja, established Uravu Labs, headquartered in Bangalore. Their innovative approach utilizes atmospheric water generators equipped with liquid desiccants to extract moisture from the air, effectively converting it into water.

Using either sunlight or renewable electricity, the desiccant is heated to 65°C, releasing moisture that can be condensed into potable water. Mr. Shrivastav explains that the entire process typically takes around 12 hours, resulting in each unit producing approximately 2,000 liters of drinking water. Despite aiming to provide water to communities facing shortages, the endeavor wasn't financially feasible. Shrivastav notes the need for further scaling up and cost reduction. Lamentably, they have yet to secure sufficient support in India. Consequently, they presently market the water to 40 clients in the hospitality sector, who utilize it for customer drinking water needs. Shrivastav elaborates that although they initially approached non-profit and corporate social responsibility departments, many companies doubted the technology's viability. Consequently, they pivoted to commercial applications, where clients are more inclined to invest due to the sustainability aspect.

Producing water locally can avoid the hassle of transportation

Water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change-induced droughts and flooding, is a growing concern, particularly in regions of the global south. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations predicts that by 2025, around 1.8 billion individuals will reside in areas facing "absolute" water scarcity. Atmospheric water generation technology emerges as a potential solution. 

Efficient and renewable-powered, it circumvents traditional water infrastructure, making it appealing for remote areas. The market for this technology is expanding rapidly, projected to reach $13.5 billion by 2032, offering hope for sustainable water access. There are two primary methods: cooling and condensation, and desiccant-based systems, each offering unique approaches to extract moisture from the air.

Beth Koigi manages 40 water generators across the dry areas of Kenya

Through her social enterprise Majik Water, Beth Koigi oversees approximately 40 atmospheric water generator units in arid and semi-arid regions across Kenya. These units utilize cooling and condensation techniques to capture moisture from the air. Koigi was motivated to start Majik Water in 2017 after experiencing water scarcity firsthand during a drought in Nairobi in 2016.

Witnessing the struggle of locals fetching contaminated water from a nearby river propelled her to explore alternative water sources. Initially, she established a water filter company before pivoting to develop air-to-water systems. Majik Water collaborates with NGOs, humanitarian organizations, and retail outlets. Their largest unit, capable of producing 500 liters of water daily, is installed in schools and small communities. 

Despite demand for the technology, Koigi acknowledges its limitations, citing cost as a significant barrier. Avinash Singh, associate director of research and consulting at Global Market Insights, highlights ongoing efforts to enhance energy efficiency in air-to-water generation systems through innovations in compressors, heat exchangers, and desiccants. He suggests that government support, subsidies, or environmental regulations could further drive adoption of this technology.

Source: BBC