Fresh water is an indispensable resource in our lives, and we cannot survive without it. But, the growing climate crisis is threatening its availability. Limited rainfall and increased groundwater salinisation due to rising sea levels have made access to fresh water increasingly challenging. Here’s when solar-powered desalination benefits those with easy access to seawater and resolves a pressing issue in their lives.
Did you know that the ocean close to your home holds the answer to freshwater scarcity?Â
From providing a reliable source of drinking water to helping you carry out your business smoothly, desalination is a powerful solution to fulfil our needs.Â
Rather than depending on distant, seasonal rainfall or rivers, ocean desalination can empower communities with local control over their water sources.
How Desalination Works?
Desalination is when the salt content and other impurities in brine are filtered out to convert it into freshwater. The most popular method, reverse osmosis desalination, is a process where a thin membrane filters out the salt. EWM desalination systems are integrated with this technology and can run on solar or wind energy.Â
In Australia, there are many large-scale desalination plants in Perth and other major cities like Sydney and Adeleide to address the growing demand of the population and to be resilient against issues like droughts.Â
Residential desalination systems reduce the pressure on these centralised water supply sources, especially during peak consumption times and provide local control. Also, unlike many large-scale water desalination plants, EWM systems are run on renewable energy, with minimal impact on the environment. Learn more about how our solar desalination systems work!
Residential Desalination Systems for Coastal Villages
Residential desalination systems are smaller in size and capacity compared to solutions designed for industrial use. They usually generate freshwater to meet the daily requirements of small communities. For example, EWM systems are available in 3 sizes; small, medium, and large with the ability to cater to 80-2000 people depending on the households in the coastal village.
They are also more simple in design, making it easy for community owners to operate and maintain them. EWM solution systems can also be operated remotely – and you can monitor the water level easily.Â
More importantly, residential desalination systems are more accessible and affordable for community owners, helping residents in coastal villages and towns to make use of nature’s unlimited resources efficiently!
Why Choose Solar-Powered Desalination?
If you have already considered seawater desalination as an alternative to your fresh water source, you would know that traditional desalination is an inaccessible choice for households. Run by coal power, they are very costly, consume a lot of energy, and are not easy to install. Add to that, these desalination plants require heavy maintenance, taking another chunk of money out of your wallet.
The infrastructure required to set them up and complexity are major draws for residential use.
Modern solar-powered desalination systems overcome these issues and are a reliable and user-friendly choice for your homes. By harnessing renewable energy, they significantly reduce operational costs and environmental impact, making them a sustainable option.Â
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Hybrid system, can be fully powered by solar energy
Solar-Powered Desalination Benefits
Now, let’s take a look at how solar desalination benefits seaside villages and coastal communities. It will help you decide if making the switch to desalination is a wise choice!
High Water Quality
If you are worried about the quality and safety of desalinated water, we have good news for you. The controlled process of desalination not only removes all the impurities present in the water. It also ensures that the quality of freshwater produced is consistent, and with no chemical additives used for purification, it is highly safe for consumption by children and adults alike.
EWM units also come with a post water treatment unit to remove potential bacterial growth from storage.
Uninterrupted Operation
If your area is prone to frequent water supply interruptions, it will not just affect your routine household tasks. It can also impact your livelihood negatively. We need water for everything from drinking and cooking to washing and cleaning our homes. Desalination obtains water from the oceans, so supply is not a question. As long as your solar-powered desalination plant is functioning well, you can access fresh water easily.
EWM solar desalination systems are the first in the world to run 24 hours a day without batteries. You can even have it as a backup in times when your regular water source gets interrupted.Â
Climate Resistant
Many Pacific Islands grapple with water stress, and drought conditions have worsened in regions in Australia due to climate change. Desalination reduces your family’s and community’s vulnerability to extreme weather conditions. EWM Desalination is also a great option for waterfront tourist properties in coastal villages because it allows you to operate throughout the year without any issues.Â
Cost-Effective
Desalination powered by renewable energy sources like solar or wind power can be cheaper than tap water, especially in densely populated towns, remote areas, and drought-prone regions. As EWM systems also come in various sizes to fit different applications, you can choose a low-cost solution that fulfils your daily water requirement. You also don’t have to spend a lot on maintenance. Â
Energy-Efficient
The reason why desalination benefits haven’t penetrated as much in communities worldwide is because of its over-consumption of fossil fuels. Did you know that solar desalination systems can cut down energy consumption significantly? In fact, EWM systems consume 70% less energy than traditional desalination, thanks to its unique energy recovery technology. You need fewer solar panels than other technologies to power up these!Â
Off-Grid Solution
Another benefit of residential solar desalination systems is their versatility. There’s an option for everyone. If you have a property located in an off-grid area along the coast, you would want a clean water supply source to back your self-sufficient lifestyle. If solar energy is not a choice, you can switch to another renewable source like wind power. Our systems can use batteries or gravity to power up the system, depending on the elevation of the area.
Combating Water Scarcity with Sustainable Solutions
It is no secret that our actions have also contributed to the climate crisis and water stress that the world is facing today. Excessive reliance on fossil fuels, increased CO2 emissions, and construction are some major causes.Â
When looking at the way forward and considering new options, it’s important to be conscious of their impact on the environment. EWM systems have been designed with this in mind. Our solutions are eco-friendly and bring the best desalination benefits to your home!
Bluemont is the leading supplier of EWM solar desalination systems in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. Contact us at +61 2 9091 0360 or email sale@avjenvironmental.com for more information on our desalination systems.