The Watly 3.0 thermodynamic computer uses solar energy to sanitise over 5000 litres of water a day, as well as generating electricity and connectivity. The development of Watly 3.0 follows the successful trial of a smaller machine, Watly 2.0, in Abenta Village, Ghana.
Watly claims the machine combines three key functionalities (water, power and connectivity) to make each one more efficient, delivering a level of service that would be impossible without them working in unison. Watly combines two major technologies: photovoltaic and thermal solar. Feeding contaminated water (including ocean water) into the machine, Watly uses solar heat collected by efficient vacuum-tubes to vaporise and therefore sanitise the water. This process includes the use of graphene technology. The photovoltaic panels located on the roof, generate instead off-grid electricity to power the internal electronics of the machine as well as being used for recharging external devices such as mobiles phones or portable computers.
During its 15 years of service, one Watly can save as much as 2500 tons of greenhouse gas emissions (CO2), equivalent to 5250 barrels of oil, purify millions of litres of water and generate 1GWh of free electricity.
Marco A. Attisani, CEO & Founder of Watly, comments: “Our experience in Ghana was truly eye-opening: we knew the potential of our prototype Watly, but seeing it transform a village by providing easy access to basic resources made us really proud about what we are doing.”
Having won the prestigious award sponsored by the European Union, “Horizon2020”, this allowed the company to build the first pre-industrial version of Watly 3.0, to be presented in September 2016. The company is now launching a crowd funding campaign to give individuals the opportunity to contribute to the transformative technology. By utilising the power of the sun to provide the basic needs of modern civilisation, Watly gives delocalized communities the smart infrastructure which enables them to leapfrog and become interconnected with the wider world.
Marco continues: “The sun is an independent unlimited and apolitical source of energy available to entire humanity, unlike all other forms of energy. By using such a source to provide the three core pillars of civilisation, it allows the developing world to compete on an international stage. We are helping to provide the infrastructure so that they can support themselves moving forward. The interconnectivity is crucial to allowing communities to work together to grow their economies and as a reflex ours”.
The Indiegogo campaign is set to open on 7th April.