The Impact of “Star Wars” on Technology: Converting Air into Water

When a severe drought hit the Indian city of Kozhikode, also known as Calicut, in 2016, residents, including student Swapnil Shrivastav, had access to a limited amount of water each day. The residents were rationed to two buckets of water a day, which they had to collect from water tanks. While water supply issues are not uncommon in some parts of India, this particular drought was challenging for Shrivastav and others in the region due to the oppressive humidity.

Shrivastav had been interested in water scarcity since winning a student competition in 2012 on the future of water in cities. However, the 2016 drought prompted him to explore solutions. This exploration led him, along with Govinda Balaji and Venkatesh Raja, to establish Uravu Labs, a startup based in Bangalore, in 2019. The startup developed a system that converts air into water using atmospheric water generators containing a liquid desiccant to absorb moisture from the air.

The process involves heating the desiccant to 65°C using sunlight or renewable electricity, releasing moisture that can then be condensed into drinking water. The entire process takes about 12 hours, and each unit now produces around 2,000 liters of drinking water. Initially envisioned as a solution for communities facing water shortages, the team found it financially unviable. Consequently, they started selling the water to hospitality customers who provide it to their clientele.

Water scarcity is a global issue, especially in countries of the global south facing droughts and floods related to climate change contaminating water sources. More than half of the world’s population experiences water scarcity monthly, and by 2025, 1.8 billion people are expected to live in regions with absolute water scarcity. Atmospheric water generation technology, with its energy efficiency and ability to function without traditional water infrastructure, is seen as a promising solution.

The market for atmospheric water generation technology is growing rapidly and expected to reach billions in value by 2032. The technology works by cooling humid air to its dew point to condense water vapor or absorbing moisture from the air using a desiccant-based system. Companies like Uravu Labs and Majik Water in Kenya are using this technology to provide fresh water to communities in remote regions.

Despite the progress, challenges remain in making these systems more energy-efficient and cost-effective for widespread adoption. Government support, subsidies, or environmental regulations could drive greater uptake of the technology. As manufacturers aim to improve energy efficiency and reduce costs, the future of atmospheric water generation looks promising. The potential impact of this technology on addressing water scarcity globally is significant.