Khalifa University And Green Waste Solutions Address Water Scarcity With Innovative Technologies

Efforts to tackle water scarcity have seen significant progress through the collaboration of Khalifa University and Green Waste Solutions Trading DMCC. Khalifa University has pioneered a solar-powered thermal distillation device that transforms seawater into freshwater without producing brine. This system harnesses sunlight to generate and condense steam directly from the water's surface, minimising heat loss and boosting energy efficiency.

The device was tested with both synthetic and real seawater in Abu Dhabi, demonstrating its ability to produce 2.2 litres of freshwater per square metre daily. This innovation has drawn interest from major national companies, including ADNOC, and is registered under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) in the United States.

Green Waste Solutions Trading DMCC, located in Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, has developed an integrated system that converts organic waste and wastewater into valuable resources. These include potable water, renewable energy, and bio-fertilisers. The mobile solar-powered system features anaerobic digesters, filtration units, power generators, and smart monitoring systems utilising AI and blockchain technologies.

This solution has been successfully deployed in Egypt and Botswana, producing up to 100,000 litres of clean water daily. It benefits over 20,000 people in remote areas. Its adaptable design makes it suitable for refugee camps and underserved communities.

Khalifa University and Green Waste Solutions were recently recognised at the fourth cycle of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award. This event is organised by the UAE Water Aid Foundation under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives.

Award-Winning Projects

Khalifa University received first prize in the "Innovative Research and Development – National Institutions" category. Meanwhile, Green Waste Solutions won in the "Innovative Projects – Large Projects" category. A total of 12 winners from eight countries were acknowledged for their contributions.

With inputs from WAM