Integrated Atmospheric Water Generators for Building Sustainability: A Simulation-Based Approach

Lucia Cattani, Roberto Figoni, Paolo Cattani and Anna Magrini ()
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Lucia Cattani: SEAS SA, Société de l’Eau Aérienne Suisse, Technical Office, via dell’Industria 13/A, 6826 Riva San Vitale, Switzerland
Roberto Figoni: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Paolo Cattani: Independent Researcher, Via Piermarini 4/L, 26900 Lodi, Italy
Anna Magrini: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 7, 1-27

Abstract: This paper presents the first results of a broader study aimed at considering atmospheric water generation as a viable option within sustainable building design strategies. In particular, the focus is on integrated systems in which atmospheric water generator (AWG) machines, in addition to producing water, support HVAC systems. The research focuses on the combined use of two different simulation tools: a commercial tool designed to study the energy balance of buildings and a custom-developed software for AWG modelling. This is the first step of a more complex procedure of software integration that is aimed to provide designers with a method to implement AWGs in the design process of buildings, both residential or industrial. This preliminary procedure is applied to a case study concerning the link between an advanced integrated AWG and a building housing inverters and transformers that belong to a photovoltaic field. The scope of the integration consists in enhancing the energy sustainability of atmospheric water intended for hydrogen production and panel washing by means of the dry and cold air flux that comes from the cycle of vapour condensation. The results highlight the potentialities of the integrated design, which includes AWGs, to enhance the final efficiency of sustainable housing. In particular, the joint action of the simulation tools used in this study provides insights about the possibility to reduce the size of traditional chiller that serve the building by an order of magnitude, and to achieve an energy saving of 29.8 MWh a year.

Keywords: atmospheric water generators; building sustainability; energy efficiency; water savings; sustainable atmospheric water harvesting (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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