Assessing global drinking water potential from electricity-free solar water evaporation device

Wei Zhang, Yongzhe Chen, Qinghua Ji (), Yuying Fan, Gong Zhang, Xi Lu, Chengzhi Hu, Huijuan Liu and Jiuhui Qu ()
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Wei Zhang: Tsinghua University
Yongzhe Chen: The University of Hong Kong
Qinghua Ji: Tsinghua University
Yuying Fan: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Gong Zhang: Tsinghua University
Xi Lu: Tsinghua University
Chengzhi Hu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Huijuan Liu: Tsinghua University
Jiuhui Qu: Tsinghua University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Universal and equitable access to affordable safely managed drinking water (SMDW) is a significant challenge and is highlighted by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals-6.1. However, SMDW coverage by 2030 is estimated to reach only 81% of the global population. Solar water evaporation (SWE) represents one potential method to ensure decentralized water purification, but its potential for addressing the global SMDW challenge remains unclear. We use a condensation-enhanced strategy and develop a physics-guided machine learning model for assessing the global potential of SWE technology to meet SMDW demand for unserved populations without external electricity input. We find that a condensation-enhanced SWE device (1 m2) can supply enough drinking water (2.5 L day−1) to 95.8% of the population lacking SMDW. SWE can help fulfill universal SMDW coverage by 2030 with an annual cost of 10.4 billion U.S. dollars, saving 66.7% of the current investment and fulfilling the SDG-6.1 goal.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51115-0

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