Climate Change Trial Reservoir Journey: Desolenator

In November 2021, the Isle Group embarked on this ambitious journey to accelerate the adoption of innovative clean technologies in the water sector while simultaneously helping the water sector reduce carbon emissions. This initiative, known as the Climate Change Trial Reservoir, has been a game-changer for technology companies seeking to revolutionize the industry.

In this article, we share the remarkable story of Desolenator, one of the companies that has benefited from this transformative program, highlighting their experience and insights gained along the way.

Here is our full interview with the Chief Commercial Officer, and Co-Founder Alexei Levene:

Please tell us how you first heard about the Trial Reservoir.

William and I got to know Piers Clark several years ago (BC - before COVID!). Obviously, Isle Utilities has a great reputation, and it was during our first meeting that he told us about Trial Reservoir. We later got to meet him at Davos, and since then have built a great working relationship with the team in the Middle East and beyond.

Please tell us about your journey going through this process.

For us, the journey has been all about receiving invaluable support through the deployment of our project for Silal, where we are deploying the world's first solar desalination plant for food production. Food security is a national priority for the UAE government and the region. Desolenator taps into abundant sea/brackish water and sun to produce high quality water for greenhouses, growing sustainable strawberries and tomatoes in the desert.

In addition to chemical-free, ocean-safe desalination, we bring the following benefits:

• Custom remineralisation: Tailored mineralization ensures the highest quality water, resulting in the highest quality and highest value fruits and vegetables.
• Resource Efficiency: Waste energy utilization increases overall resource efficiency.
• Net-Zero Cooling: We're even providing cooling services for greenhouses while maintaining a net-zero footprint

The project will be completed by COP28, and as such serves as a showcase for climate technology addressing major challenges in the region, providing a stepping stone for many more projects in the region.

We appreciate Trial Reservoir as they really provide a way to not only support us through this process but also amplify this work across utilities and other water-stressed companies around the world.

What were the specific market expansions and growth opportunities as a direct result of Trial Reservoir?

While we are still in the middle of exploration, we certainly see that there's a specific opportunity we're looking at in Saudi Arabia, which is coming out of a direct result of working with the team in the Middle East. As mentioned, water and food security are top priorities in many places, and this is something that will only grow.

What would be your advice to those thinking about applying for the Trial Reservoir?

We'd really recommend applying for any company in the water space looking to accelerate their growth within the industry.

What are Desolenators' next steps?

At the moment, we are focused on completing the Silal project and bringing in new 'water for food' projects. We have also started preparing for COP 28 at the end of the year,?where we are planning to have an active presence including taking the stage at several events in the Blue Zone and Green Zone, as well as several other partner events and potential site visits.?

Desalination is an increasingly fast-growing part of the water space and Desolenator remains committed to providing a means of doing desalination in a real zero way: Using solar energy, eliminating chemicals and brine that go back into the environment through Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD), and increasingly gaining exposure around our carbon saving, which is 1400% compared to companies using reverse osmosis (RO) technology.?

Nada Abubakr, Climate Change Trial Reservoir Relationship Manager, shares her perspective on the transformative journey of Desolenator:

We are excited to highlight the innovative Desolenator technology, a solar-driven thermal desalination solution that produces low-concentration, non-toxic brine. Our growing partnership with Desolenator's team in the UAE and beyond was solidified further through the support provided by our Trial Reservoir program. It fills us with pride to support Desolenator in an opportunity that will showcase its technology at COP28, where its significance in sustainable water solutions will be on display for the world to see.?

Conclusion

Desolenator's journey through the Climate Change Trial Reservoir serves as a testament to the power of innovation, sustainability and collaboration in addressing pressing global changes.

The Climate Trial Reservoir is open to technology vendors around the world, actively supporting trials in high, medium and low-income countries. The only requirement is that the technology being tested must help reduce the carbon footprint of the water system, be that a municipal utility or an industrial/commercial water user.

If you are eager to learn more about how this program can help change your operations, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us today.

[email protected]