Wind-powered desalination plant

South Australian projects to tackle water shortages

An Australian-based developer of new wind-powered desalination plants is set to play a role in addressing the country’s severe water shortage.

Windesal is harnessing Danish technology to turn seawater and brackish groundwater into high-quality potable water using up to 100% renewable energy.

The environmentally friendly plants are designed as ‘modules’ which are each capable of producing up to 5 GL of fresh water per year through power generated by wind turbines. During periods when wind is insufficient to drive the turbines, a modified generator takes effect which is powered by biofuels and other renewable energy sources.

Additional desalination modules can subsequently be added to each plant as necessary to enable greater water production.

Windesal has earmarked Salisbury in South Australia as the site of its first major project and is currently working with the City of Salisbury to establish a $20 million plant to tap into the region’s large underground aquifers which have been enhanced by the council’s stormwater recycling program.

The company is planning to construct plants across South Australia with an initial goal of producing 100 GL of water for the state annually.

Windesal CEO Jonathan Whalley says, “Wind-powered desalination plants can be built almost anywhere with suitable wind conditions, and are relatively quick and cheap to establish. They are a particularly viable option for regional communities with poor water and power supplies.”