Morocco: new tech turns wind into water

Canadian-based RainMaker WorldWide has presented Morocco with a technology that can produce drinking water from wind energy. 

The company announced that it plans to install a pilot unit to demonstrate the effectiveness of its systems on the territory.

Explaining how this technology works; the company stated that the turbine blades of the wind turbine operate a compressor connected to a refrigeration system installed in the pylon. During this time, the air is sucked down through a fan that leads through this system, causing water condensation in the air.

Subsequently, the drops of water produced then flow along the walls and are stored in a tank ready for consumption.

According to Ecofin agency, the system, which can generate up to 20,000 litres of water a day, has already been tested in several countries, particularly in arid regions.

The Canadian-based firm has filed a patent that improves the efficiency of harvesting water vapour from the air.

Rainmaker worked in concert with Netherlands-based research institution, Wetsus on the research and technology development.

It is estimated that a single wind turbine would be sufficient to supply water to a village of 1,000 inhabitants. 

The company's chief innovation officer Piet Oosterling said: “This is another step in our ongoing quest to improve water output while reducing the cost per litre of water in the places that need it the most.”

Source: ESI Africa