Next SunGlacier Project: DC02: “Water Cube”.

We are pleased to announce that we are building the first version of The “Water Cube.” This unique cube is designed to independently generate water for drinking and other applications such as small-scale agriculture.

Cube DC02 def

All technology is designed by the SunGlacier team and will be presented during the OECD Water Governance Initiative in The Hague, in June. The Water Cube could grow into an inexpensive, portable and easy-to-maintain, off-grid water generator. We are excited about this new highlight of the SunGlacier project!

Solar Water: present and future

We sourced residential style products at the local hardware store and purchased 2 solar panels, dehumidifier, power inverter and cables.

Our condensor specifications (for indoor use):Diagram

Our installation is exhibited at the Museum Sculptures by the Sea,  Scheveningen, The Netherlands. The expected summer conditions are 25C, RV = 80%. In these conditions with only 10 hours of daylight to power the systems, we can produce 5.8 liters/day.

Existing condensers for indoor use at 1 kWh can produce approximately 1.2 liters of water. Condensers for outdoor use do not exist – yet. As an example, an optimized condenser being used outdoors, could produce more than 4 liters of water in conditions typical to Lima, Peru – according to calculations of our refrigeration expert.

We have taken the first step and produced a lot of water using existing off the shelf technologies. On many regions in the world, the climate and relative humidity is such that the water production will improve beyond our calculations. The higher the temperature, the more water that can be contained in the air. This means that even in desert conditions there are often very realistic opportunities to harvest water from the air, despite the relative humidity being very low. Solar water needs filtration and enriching with minerals when used as drinking water, but it proves that with off the shelf technology you can create your own water out of thin air!

Our team has advanced condensation effiencies and the technology of converting water from air. With further investment we can take it to the next step: producing 8 liters of fresh water/sq. meter of solar surface.

Fountain runs on solar produced water

We tested our systems, optimised our water pipes and now the fountain spits water upto a height of 6 meters. On a sunny summer day in Netherlands about 1 to 2 times/hour. Next week we start building the installation at the museum and from April 23rd everybody is welcome to see it running.

DC01 - detail 01

 

 

The intervals increase in desert conditions. (upto 3 – 4 times/hour)

 

Testing the heart and the veins.

detail 1

The SunGlacier project is still defined as “futuristic” on several websites and blogs, but becomes more and more alive in all it’s aspects. Today I visited the solar workshop and was surrounded by flashing LED’s and all kinds of beeps, that we never will see again for half of a year. Operation succeeded. (The box will be closed during the exhibition)

The computer is the heart, but not the soul, of the Art Project. It generates the power to produce the water, and pumps it to the top of the sculpture through a hidden pipe, like a vein in a human body.

 

 

testrun solar

Enter Stage 2

Enter Stage 2
Our 2.5 meter prototype is taking shape with natural wood material in a modular form. It’s a voyage in space, water and time that is leading us to the first splash of water flowing down from the top onto the solar panel base. 


It has taken many months to reach this point and the entire team is enthusiastic about the possibilities to come. We will soon be ready for the sun to transform a work of art into a functioning structure that can harvest not only moisture from the air, but also innovative ideas on what can be done with materials within reach of our hands.

Look for more in the coming days on the final design of the prototype. The launch of art making the first drops of water could be seen this spring. Join us in presenting a unique design with a positive purpose!