Entrepreneurs worldwide are inspired by the legendary Star Wars saga to create technologies capable of extracting pure water from the atmosphere, even in regions with scant humidity. Nevertheless, despite its potential, the current cost of this technology renders it ineffective in tackling the prevalent shortage of freshwater, a sentiment echoed by numerous entrepreneurs engaged in these endeavors.
The magnitude of the global water crisis is daunting. As per the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, half of the world’s population grapples with water scarcity at least once monthly. Projections indicate that by the following year, an estimated 1.8 billion individuals will confront absolute water scarcity. While traditional remedies like desalination plants offer assistance, they are constrained, necessitating access to seawater and large-scale deployment. Consequently, numerous remote or sparsely inhabited areas remain devoid of feasible water solutions.
Intense flooding induced by climate change worsens the situation by polluting existing water sources. In such instances, atmospheric water-generating technology emerges as pivotal in furnishing clean and safe water. These systems operate on the fundamental principle of extracting water vapor from the atmosphere, achievable through two primary methods: cooling and heating.
The cooling technique entails lowering the temperature of humid air to its dew point, prompting water vapor to condense into a liquid form. Conversely, the heating method utilizes hygroscopic materials to absorb moisture from the air, subsequently heating them to release water.
Despite their potential, the affordability of these technologies remains a significant obstacle to their widespread adoption. Nonetheless, their scalability and compatibility with renewable energy sources render them suitable for deployment in remote areas, tailored to the specific needs of local communities.
In Kenya, Beth Koigi faced a severe drought in 2016, which led her to seek solutions for clean water. She discovered the cooling-based air-water generator and subsequently founded Majik Water to help communities access clean water. Majik Water, working with NGOs, offers scalable solutions for households, hospitals, and communities, with installations capable of producing up to 500 liters of water in 24 hours. Despite these advancements, Koigi acknowledges that the high costs make these systems an impractical long-term solution for many.
Similarly, in India, Swapnil Shrivastav founded Uravu Labs in response to a water crisis in Kozhikode. Using the heating method, Uravu Labs has scaled its system to produce 2,000 liters of water in 12 hours. However, the costs have proven prohibitive for local communities, and the startup struggled to secure NGO support in India. As a result, Uravu Labs now supplies water to industries like hospitality and data centers, where sustainability goals and operational needs align with the technology’s benefits.
To genuinely address the global water shortage, innovations in key components such as heat exchangers, hygroscopic materials, and condensers are essential. Experts suggest that increased government support and environmental regulations could also play a pivotal role in enhancing the adoption of these technologies. Thus, while atmospheric water generation presents a promising solution, significant advancements and support are necessary to make it accessible and affordable for widespread use.