Water Energy Nexus

The traditional Finnish sauna is a water/energy phenomenon.  By using wood (traditionally) or rocks to heat volcanic rocks, water can be splashed on the rocks to create steam.  This steam is naturally circulated around the sauna, especially if you’re fortunate enough to be in a barrel sauna. The sauna is the perfect representation of heat/energy and water.  When in a …

African renewable energy startup Muhanya Solar Ltd. is building a solar-powered microgrid that will deliver affordable, reliable, emissions-free electricity to 60 families in Sinda, a village in eastern Zambia. In southern Zambia, SuperRich Energies Ltd is harnessing solar energy and the power of the mighty Zambesi River to build the first of a planned 12 hybrid hydroelectric-solar PV systems. The …

City planners and residents in a New Orleans neighborhood are looking to two microgrid projects as a means of enhancing emergency services and improving water infrastructure and resource management. Part and parcel of developing the Gentilly Resiliency District, the two planned microgrids are to provide emergency back-up power in the event of disasters, as well as power water pumps and …

The historic cost declines of solar panels make Photovoltaic Domestic Water Heating an attractive possibility for widespread domestic water heating. As far back as 2012, Mark Holladay of Green Building Advisors predicted the decline of flat plate and vacuum tube solar collectors.  Now, thousands of homeowners in Nevada could find heating large, well-insulated water tanks can ensure their solar panels maintain value. Solar thermal …

LARGE, INFLEXIBLE DESALINATION PLANTS COULD JEOPARDIZE CALIFORNIA’S RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGETS AND INCREASE THE COST OF BOTH WATER AND ENERGY.  BETTER DESIGNED DESALINATION PLANTS CAN BE A GRID RESOURCE ENABLING RENEWABLE MICROGRIDS. Maintaining a balance on the electric grid used to be simple for utilities, just follow demand with turbine generators.  The electric utilities had a monopoly on generation and were incentivized to build plenty of infrastructure, so there was more than …

WORKING WITH NATURE TO REACH 100% RENEWABLE ENERGY WITH ELEMENTAL WATER MAKERS Crosspost (With Permission) from Microgrid Media EDITOR’S NOTE Let’s admit it, fossil fuels have made us lazy.  What we used to accomplish with biomimicry and working with nature we now just burn more fossil fuels. Today we depend on coal and gas for everything from water treatment to pharmaceuticals. …

Water and Energy are the two most basic and important aspects of off grid living.  Since 2001, Sisyan has shown that Solar Photovoltaics and Reverse Osmosis Desalination can make for a reliable, efficient source of energy and water.  Until recently, the lead acid batteries required to produce water around the clock have accounted for over 60% of the cost of …

Desalination Will Be Necessary A 40% gap between freshwater supply and demand is predicted by 2030, and the stress on natural water systems can be seen now in every part of the world. In addition to all methods of water recycling and conservation, new sources will be necessary. Seawater is the only sources that is drought-proof and virtually inexhaustible. Unfortunately, …