In 2022, approximately 700 million people, equal to 9% of the world populationdid not have access to drinking water, according to data from the Inequality Observatory. This problem, which has persisted for years, continues to cause serious health risks and could get even worse due to climate change.
As the demand for solutions grows, the Dutch company Elemental Water Makers is attracting attention with a proposal that aims to desalinate sea water using exclusively renewable energy sources. This approach promises to transform a traditionally energy-intensive process into a more environmentally friendly technology.
How the system works: the magic of reverse osmosis
Elemental Water Makers technology is based on a process reverse osmosis. In this method, salt water is filtered through special membranes that separate the salt and impurities, allowing only fresh water to pass through. What makes this system unique is the how it is powered: instead of consuming large quantities of conventional energy, it exploits it solar and wind energy. Thanks to an intelligent system, the collected energy is stored in the form of hydraulic pressure, allowing the structure to function continuouslyeven in variable climate conditions.
This system is particularly useful in remote areas and in areas where access to drinking water is limited. For example, a project already active at Maldives is supplying water to a tourist complex, demonstrating that this technology can be successfully applied in real situations. Overall, Elemental Water Makers has already produced more than 1,955,725 cubic meters of drinking water Furthermore 30 countrieshelping to avoid the emission of 9,777 tons of CO₂.
This innovative desalination system has been awarded by the Solar Impulse Foundationwhich certifies technologies capable of offering ecological solutions without compromising efficiency. Elemental Water Makers technology aligns perfectly with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, in particular with SDG 6, which aims to guarantee universal access to drinking water by 2030.
