Solar water pumps

Context

Pumping of water for domestic and productive uses has been difficult to maintain in Tanzania. This challenge is highly attributed by the higher costs of pumping water using conventional means such as diesel generators and electricity.

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) technologies have enabled rural communities of Tanzania to apply this technology for lighting, water pumping, charging of cell phones, etc. Community water projects using solar pumps have benefitted from reduced running costs as compared to diesel or electric water pumps.

Solomon Islands comprise hundreds of islands.  Solomon Islands Water Authority (SW), a state-owned enterprise, is mandated to operate as the provider of municipal water and wastewater services. About 95% of total installed capacity of electricity generation in Solomon Islands is based on fossil fuels, and the balance 5% is through renewable energy sources. The electricity tariff of Solomon Islands is one of the highest in the Pacific since a major share of electricity in the Islands is met through fossil fuels. 

Tamar Technological Development r seals eliminate leakages in the main factories in Israel and were successfully installed in .USA Italy Brazil and Netherlands. The new MTZ shaft sealing technology has been introduced by Tamar Technologies This product is especially effective in sealing pumpage with particulates as well as for clear liquids It has application for pumps mixers agitators ribbon blenders and fans in addition to sealing shafts for dry powder handling. The Tamar Seal is analogous to a double mechanical seal that uses a flexible sealant as a barrier fluid.

Mekorot implements state-of the-art technological solutions and cutting-edge processes that succeeded in maximizing the utilization of Israel’s water resources. The systems include a national network of fully-automated control centres. These centres ensure the continuous functioning of Mekorot’s 3000 water installations including wells pumping stations treatment facilities reservoirs and pipelines. Advanced communications devices provide online real-time information about water quality and water supply while allowing remote control of vital systems.

A reliable and clean water supply is an essential need but a large number of people currently lack this basic provision. Solar water pumps is a socially and environmentally attractive technology to supply water. Especially if the need for water is in remote locations which are beyond the reach of power lines, solar power is often the economically preferred technology.

Practical Action Consulting (PAC) is the consulting arm of Practical Action, an international non-governmental organisation that uses technology to challenge poverty in developing countries. Through technology PAC enables poor communities to build on their skills and knowledge to produce sustainable and practical solutions - transforming their lives forever and protecting the world around them. Every year PAC uses technology to help over 1 million people out of poverty.

EED Advisory Limited is an interdisciplinary consultancy firm with service offerings in the energy and environment space delivered through four practice lines: (i) sustainable energy, (ii) climate change, (iii) natural resource management and (iv) commercial project development. EED Advisory Limited operates through staff located in Nairobi and partners across the globe.

Description of the project: SISAM project is an innovative solar irrigation solution (local, sector, affordable, renewable, adapted to the constraints of family farming) that meets the needs of 100 market garden farms, mostly managed by women who have little access to water. A local production line and distribution of pumps, known as "minivolanta", have been built, as well as access to local microfinance (micro leasing). Activities include production, financing, distribution, maintenance of pumps and irrigation installations.

Problems: 1. Solar panel conversion efficiency decreases with increasing temperature 2. The amount of energy required to desalinate water increases as temperature of the feed water decreases Technology: This invention uses photovoltaic panels (PV) to power reverse-osmosis water filtration. A thermal controller maximizes the clean water produced by a PV/RO system by managing the temperatures of the PV panel and the RO feed water in response to changes in the incoming solar radiation ambient air temperature and source water temperature.

Technology Description: Pultrusion is a continuous manufacturing technique for the production of fibre reinforced composite materials of predefined dimensions. However there are some problems with the method that limit its use. These can be overcome by using new technology developed at the University. This new method ensures that fibres are spread within the bundle in the optimal way to maximise resin impregnation and ensure voids are not produced in the section.