Desalination involves removing salts and other impurities from seawater, in order to turn it into drinking water.
This is important because according to the WWF, only 3% of the world’s water is freshwater, with two-thirds of that being unreachable. Because of this, a current 1.1 billion people lack access to water.
As populations grow and global water scarcity becomes more of a problem, particularly in hot climates, finding new and innovative ways to convert seawater into fresh water is certainly in high demand.
Luckily, a number of startups have set out to pioneer new ways to do this. Here, we take a look at some of the most interesting:
1. OceanWell
Using reverse osmosis, OceanWell have developed deep-sea water farms that use ocean pressure to produce fresh water.
By using natural pressure for the process, they are able to use 40% less energy than other methods that happen on land. And with their farms being under water, they are able to use as much space as they want, without impacting land space.
2. Planet
Planet’s Mangrove Technology Platform focuses on using solar power to power desalination.
Developed in Italy, the company is looking at sustainable sources for powering the high energy process of desalination, making it environmentally friendly.
3. Eden Tech
Eden Tech has developed a device called a Reverse-Osmosis Centrifuge (ROC) that increases the amount of freshwater produced by 40% more than existing desalination plants.
This solution uses one moving part which helps keep costs down and makes the device more reliable. Not only does this increase profitability for desalination plants, but it also produces more freshwater.
4. Meknology
Meknology has created a waste management system that helps businesses reduce the operational costs associated with desalination.
Named the Paladin, it’s able to treat wastewater, preserve valuable materials and desalinate water.
This has allowed them to create products that are not only environmentally friendly, but also cost-effective and sustainable.
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5. Waterise
Waterise has a new way to complete the process of desalination. Their system uses reverse osmosis alongside subsea technology to produce an energy and cost-efficient way to desalinate sea water.
By using subsea modules, the company reduces the need for on-land desalination plants, allowing them to desalinate 50,000 m3 per day.
6. Wavepiston
Desalination can be an energy expensive process.
To help combat this, Wavepiston has developed a wave energy device that uses wave power to produce clean electricity and desalinated water. Their system is under water, making it easy to deploy and highly scalable.
7. Voltea
Voltea’s technology gives users a salt-free, chemical-free alternative to water softeners.
Using deionisation, their devices can be used both residentially and commercially. Their devices are low-cost, low chemical and low energy, making them a great option for companies or people looking for water purification.
8. Oneka Technologies
Oneka Technologies uses wave energy to power desalination. By combining seawater with its own wave energy, the system is able to be deployed to remote coastal populations without needing land space or negatively impacting the environment.
By using a mechanical buoy, which moves with the waves, the device is able to create electricity and power desalination.
9. Wacomet
Wacomet is developing new technology to purify saltwater, powered by solar energy.
By using reverse osmosis, the company is able to turn groundwater into freshwater that can be used across agriculture, industry and tap water.
10. Salinity Solutions
