We Started to Produce Water from Air in Desert

Scientists from the University Centre for Energy-Efficient Buildings of the CTU launched the S.A.W.E.R. system (which had begun to be developed in 2017) in United Arab Emirates. The testing will be evaluated at the end of 2019. Experience gained from the test operation will be used by engineers when designing the device for the Czech pavilion at EXPO 2020 in Dubai where it should be installed next year.

The testing of the system will run in the Sweihan desert in UAE for about six months so that data from operation in extreme summer conditions as well as in autumn and winter are available. During this time, the creators led by Tomáš Matuška want to check how S.A.W.E.R. stands the test in the real desert environment where it will have to resist high temperatures, fine sand and other unfavorable influences.

After all, the CTU UCEEB team that came to the United Arab Emirates to put the device into operation had to deal with them, too. Due to high temperatures around 45 °C, scientists were only able to work during nights and they took a rest during daytime. This is also a reason why it is good that their presence on the spot is not required all the time because the data will be collected in a remote way. Only several shorter trips to the United Arab Emirates are planned in order to verify the operation and possibly to adjust the device.

After several days of operation, it is too soon for any conclusions regarding the endurance and power of the device. The water obtained from the system can be also used at a camel farm nearby where Bedouins from around come to get it. They are the very people the system could help significantly in future because it should be able to work in an absolutely autonomous way, using only solar energy even in the most remote areas where no tarmac roads or power lines lead. However, due to the disappearance of drinking water all over the world, possible use of S.A.W.E.R. elsewhere is not out of question.