Al Khobar Hub Team participated in the #ClimateShape Initiative Competition with an idea titled The Air Water Station

An Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) is a device that extracts water from humid ambient air. Cooling the air below its dew point, exposing the air to desiccants, or pressurizing the air condenses water vapor in the air. Unlike a dehumidifier, an AWG is designed to render the water potable. AWGs are useful where pure drinking water is difficult or impossible to obtain, because there is almost always a small amount of water in the air that can be extracted. The two primary techniques in use are cooling and desiccants. The extraction of atmospheric water may not be completely free of cost, because significant input of energy is required to drive some AWG processes, sometimes called; trading oil for water. Certain traditional AWG methods are completely passive, relying on natural temperature differences, and requiring no external energy source. Research has also developed AWG technologies to produce useful yields of water at a reduced (but non-zero) energy cost. Given Saudi Arabia is “blessed” with an abundant and dependable source of year-round sunlight, the use of solar panels to power the AWGs is a logical fit.

We expect our solution to yield significant and measurable benefits to the environment by reducing the dependence on current carbon-intensive irrigating methods involving desalination stations and tanker trucks to get to trees on the highways. The benefits can be grouped into direct and indirect categories. 

Direct:

Gallons of water saved per year

Amount of carbon dioxide reduced 

Indirect:

Number of trees supplied with water

Amount of oxygen produced from the trees

Increased road safety 

Reduced plastic bottles