Eole Water from France has developed a water-producing wind turbine and Gulf states are drooling at the jowls to have at least one of their own. The WMS 1000 currently undergoing testing in Dubai following tests in France and Abu Dhabi captures moisture in the air that is then condensed and filtered to standards exceeding those listed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Meeting three needs with as many blades, the turbine generates 30kW of energy and up to 1,200 liters of water each day without producing any kind of carbon emissions. While it is still uncertain where or how the firm will manufacture their turbines when testing is complete, several nations on the Arabian peninsula have already expressed a keen interest in the product.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhe4jDWfFAY[/youtube]
Although the wind turbine’s name isn’t very sexy, what it is able to achieve certainly is.
At the top of WMS1000, a fan captures air and a humidity condenser encased with the generator condenses the moisture present. This water then passes through a filtration system to ensure that all airborne contaminants are removed and then it is safe for drinking.
A faucet at the base of the turbine releases up to 1,200 liters of water per day, depending on the climate. Gulf states are particularly well-poised to benefit from this technology given high humidity levels in the coastal areas, and Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are anxious to see how current testing in Dubai evolves.
The clean energy system is also easy to maintain. It has a hydraulic hinge that allows the stem of the turbine to bend down to the ground (it looks like a giant white camel coming on to its knees), mitigating the need for skilled canyoneers to summit the giants when mechanics fail.
And it can withstand wind speeds of up to 180 km/h and block particulates, making mincemeat out of desert sandstorms.
Once the ongoing testing in Dubai is complete, which is being done in cooperation with the Emirates Marine Environmental Group (EMEG), Eole hopes to scale up production and distribute the turbines to remote communities in resource-scarce areas that have a population of 5,000 or less.
“In addition, the water we create can bring very relevant benefits to these remote communities,” the company’s marketing director told Utilities ME.
“We can reduce health scares, develop agriculture or some kind of industry, whilst also allowing communities to avoid spending money on a water and electricity network.”
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
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