In 2016, when the Indian city of Kozhikode experienced severe drought resulting in water shortages, the impact was keenly felt by residents such as Swapnil Shrivastav. At that time, the city’s inhabitants were restricted to a mere two buckets of water daily, obtained from water tanks, and stored it to meet their daily needs. Mr. Shrivastav, a student, recounted his experience during this challenging period, emphasizing the difficulty given the area’s high humidity.
Inspired by the water generation system featured in the movie Star Wars, Mr. Shrivastav, along with Govinda Balaji and Venkatesh Raja, founded Uravu Labs in 2019. Their innovative system utilises air to water technology, employing atmospheric water generators containing a liquid desiccant to absorb moisture from the air. By harnessing solar energy or renewable electricity, the desiccant is heated to release the captured moisture, which is then condensed into drinkable water. Each unit is capable of producing around 2,000 litres of drinking water, alleviating the impact of water scarcity.
However, despite the team’s vision to address water shortages in communities, they encountered financial obstacles. Consequently, they redirected their efforts towards commercial partnerships within the hospitality industry, providing sustainable water solutions to various establishments.
Water scarcity is a prevalent issue across the globe, especially in regions affected by climate change-induced droughts and flooding. Strikingly, over half of the world’s population, amounting to four billion individuals, faces water shortages monthly. This critical situation is projected to worsen, with an estimated 1.8 billion people expected to live in areas with “absolute” water scarcity by 2025.
Could atmospheric water generation technology provide a viable solution? Its energy-efficient nature, with the capability to be powered by renewable sources, makes it an attractive option, particularly in remote areas lacking traditional water infrastructure. This technology presents a burgeoning market, projected to reach a value of $13.5 billion by 2032.
Evidence of this potential is seen in the work of Beth Koigi, the co-founder of Majik Water, which operates in arid and semi-arid areas within Kenya. Majik Water’s atmospheric water generators use cooling and condensation-based techniques to capture moisture from the air, providing a critical resource to communities and schools.
While these innovative solutions can make a significant impact on water scarcity, they are not without challenges. Cost remains a primary concern, resulting in the limited adoption of such systems. Efforts are underway to enhance the energy efficiency of these systems, with a focus on technological advancements, government support, and innovative financial solutions.
Moving forward, companies like Uravu Labs are committed to ongoing research and development to improve the efficiency of desiccants and reduce the heat required for water production. They are exploring pilot projects to install units in data centres to harness waste heat for water generation, showcasing the potential for significant conservation of freshwater resources.
By revolutionizing water generation systems using state-of-the-art technology, these initiatives offer hope in addressing water scarcity, transforming arid regions into thriving communities equipped with a sustainable water supply.