A solar power plant produces drinking water: how the amazing device works

The installation converts 93% of sunlight into useful energy, producing 20 liters of fresh water per square meter per day, which is far superior to traditional desalination methods.

Researchers from the University of Waterloo have developed an energy-efficient desalination device that uses the sun's energy to produce clean drinking water from seawater. About it writes interestingengineering.com.

The installation evaporates and condenses water in a closed system, eliminating salt accumulation and significantly increasing the sustainability of the process. Unlike traditional systems that require constant cleaning, this new technology provides continuous desalination without interruptions. The system depends on solar energy. It can convert 93% of sunlight into useful energy, a significant improvement over current desalination technologies. Such high efficiency enables the device to produce about 20 liters of fresh water per square meter every day, which corresponds to the daily water requirement per person recommended by the World Health Organization. The installation is portable, making it an ideal solution for regions where fresh water is scarce.

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The basis of the system is a combination of innovative materials using nickel foam covered with conductive polymer and heat-sensitive pollen particles. These materials absorb sunlight across the solar spectrum, turning it into heat. A thin layer of seawater on the surface of the polymer heats up and moves upward, similar to the capillary effect seen in trees.

Traditional desalination systems, which work by pushing seawater through membranes to separate the salt, are energy-intensive and prone to operational problems. The accumulation of salt on the surface of the device often clogs the system, requiring frequent maintenance and disrupting continuous operation. However, scientists from the University of Waterloo have found an innovative solution by developing a solar desalination device. It mimics the way trees naturally transport water from their roots to their leaves. As the water evaporates, the salt is transferred to the lower layer of the device, effectively preventing clogging. This self-cleaning mechanism resembles a swimming pool backwash system, allowing the device to operate continuously without maintenance.

In the future, the researchers plan to build a larger prototype to test the technology at sea and assess its potential for scaling. “If the trial is successful, the technology will be able to sustainably supply fresh water to coastal communities and contribute to the achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals Three, Six, Ten and Twelve,” — scientists said.