The two biggest problems of desert farming involve water scarcity and the lack of a robust electrical grid. A new hybrid photovoltaic system, could help to improve the situation.
We are talking about an experimental system, at the beginning of its study, which combines the panels photovoltaics with an absorbent hydrogel. The project follows the directives from scientists of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) of Saudi Arabia: it is called “integrated water-electricity-crop co-production system (or WEC2P)”.
Its purpose is to harness energy of the sun to generate electricity and, at the same time, exploit the hydrogel to produce water. In short, the WEC2P aims to solve the problems of desert agriculture, through a photovoltaic system more than innovative.
Ensuring that everyone on Earth has access to clean water and affordable clean energy is part of the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations. (…) I hope our project can be a decentralized electricity and water system to illuminate homes and water crops
Prof. Peng Wang, author of the study
How the photovoltaic WEC2P that brings water to the desert works
Let's now find out how this system really works and what its components are. There most of information comes from an article in the magazine Cell Reports Physical Science, who talked about the study.
WEC2P relies on a number of connected photovoltaic panels, placed on top of a layer of hydrogel. Panel and gel form the lid of a metal box, with a small opening at the bottom. At night, the box remains open, allowing the hydrogel to absorb moisture from the air. During the day, however, the garage remains closed and the photovoltaic panel produces electricity.
When sunlight hits the panel, the hydrogel underneath heats up. As a result, the absorbed water evaporates from the gel and condenses on the back of the panel. The liquid water thus obtained comes out of the panel and takes away the excess heat (so the photovoltaic panel it cools and works Better).
Once out, it flows over the box and out the spout where it can be harvested for irrigation or for drinking water.
Currently, a first small-scale test was conducted in June in the Saudi Arabian desert. The installation generated 1.519 WH of electricity and about 2 liters of water. The water obtained made it possible to irrigate 60 spinach seeds planted in a plastic box, 57 of which germinated and grew successfully.
If large-scale experimentation proves positive, this system could revolutionize the world of desert agriculture completely. There lack of water and electricity could no longer be a problem, bringing benefits for everyone.
