Alexei Levene, Co-Founder, Desolenator on solving water scarcity with green desalination

Alexei Levene, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, Desolenator

With the world facing the escalating challenge of water scarcity, the need for innovative solutions has never been more pressing. We are on a trajectory toward a 40% deficit in global water availability by 2030, according to the UN, and the pervasive impacts of climate change are putting water stress on track to reach crisis proportions.

Populations worldwide – in cities like Jakarta, Cape Town, Mexico City, and Barcelona – are already experiencing the effects. By 2025, regions home to half of the global population could be grappling with water stress.

Source: World Resources Institute

Water underpins all aspects of life as we know it, from food production to manufacturing, transportation and energy. Global demand for water will only increase with population growth and urbanization, alongside the escalating strain from intensified agricultural practices, greater energy requirements and the expansion of industrial activities.

However, while it may appear we are facing a scarcity issue, the crux lies in water quality.

The vast majority of our planet’s water (97%) is held in our oceans, presenting a significant but underutilized resource. Glaciers and ice caps contain about 2% of the water total, leaving less than 1% readily available as freshwater. This distribution highlights the stark contrast between the abundance of saline water and the scarcity of freshwater resources. Desalination is crucial to bridge this gap.

Despite its potential, the environmental impact of traditional desalination technology, with its heavy energy consumption and reliance on fossil fuels, demands a shift toward more sustainable practices. Notably, the global water industry, including desalination, contributes approximately 10% of worldwide CO2 emissions, underscoring the urgent need for greener approaches in water treatment and supply.

This includes integrating desalination plants with renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and nuclear power to produce clean water without worsening climate change. However, this transition is not without obstacles, such as the intermittent nature of renewable energy and the difficulties of desalination when power supply fluctuates.

Specifically, variations in plant operations can lead to more frequent fouling of the membranes that separate salt from water. The inconsistent power from wind and solar installations may require the integration of storage systems to smooth out supply fluctuations, potentially increasing costs. Nuclear plants are often too large for just desalination, suggesting they need to serve additional power generation purposes. These challenges are significant for large-scale plants that supply critical water resources to areas like Dubai and Israel.

Desolenator’s solar-powered desalination facility.

In the face of these challenges, innovation plays a critical role in shaping both a secure and decarbonized water future. The following three innovations addressing this water-energy nexus provide a glimpse into what the future of desalination could hold.

Deep sea desalination: Leveraging the naturally occurring pressure differential between the surface and deep sea, Floucean is pioneering a unique alternative to renewable energy generation for water production. The subsea reverse osmosis (RO) process is powered by the hydrostatic pressure of the deep sea, reducing power consumption compared to conventional plants. The technology uses the pressure created by depths of 500 meters or more, which can be found in the majority of coastal locations, to feed surrounding water into the deep-water desalination station.

Wave-powered desalination: By harnessing the kinetic energy of ocean waves, this approach provides a novel way to power desalination processes. Projects like Oneka capture the motion of waves to generate the pressure required for desalination, eliminating the need for external power sources. This method harnesses the vast energy of the ocean and aligns with sustainable development goals by reducing ecological impacts and strengthening coastal water supply systems.

Solar-powered and distributed desalination: Utilizing solar energy, this approach employs solar thermal energy to distill seawater into fresh water, bypassing the need for harmful chemicals or complex membrane systems. The technology Desolenator has developed couples efficient energy production with innovative storage through a thermal battery. This environmentally friendly and cost-effective method offers scalable solutions that cater to diverse needs, from small communities to expansive urban centers. The adaptability of solar-powered systems is key, allowing for customized implementations that can address specific local water challenges.

But what needs to happen for these decarbonized desalination solutions to go mainstream?

First, it’s crucial to establish a policy environment that aligns with net zero goals. This requires a multifaceted strategy that includes regulatory support, financial incentives and enhanced collaboration between the public and private sectors to expedite the development of innovative solutions and stimulate investment and innovation within the water sector.

The investment gap between the water sector and other industries, particularly energy, also deserves more attention. The water sector sees relatively modest funding, according to the World Economic Forum, with annual investments in water innovation ranging from $100-$200 million. In comparison, global investment in energy transition technologies investments reached a record high of $1.3 trillion in 2022, and climate tech venture capital received $70.1 billion in 2021.

The focus on seed and pilot-phase projects within the water sector signals a need for a broader investment strategy, as well as one that nurtures initial ventures through to their full development and application at scale. Achieving this requires a more robust and varied investment portfolio, essential for realizing the potential of water technologies to combat water scarcity effectively and contribute to climate resilience.

The journey toward decarbonizing desalination is complex and filled with challenges, but it is also marked by significant opportunities for innovation. Realizing this vision demands a collaborative approach across multiple sectors to secure our freshwater supply in a way that truly safeguards our planet's well-being.