Kreamer pointed out that renewable energy solutions could power the oceangoing desalination plants. Solar or wind are possibilities, as are energy sources that tap into the power of the sea itself: turbines that turn using wave or tidal power, or techniques that extract power from differences in the density or temperature of seawater at different depths. Kreamer is not the first to think of this approach. In fact, Water Standard, a Houston-based company, is poised to make the idea a reality. They purchased a ship this year and are moving forward with plans to turn it into a desalination plant that should be up and running by late 2009. The price of water made this way will be competitive with that made by land-based desalination, said Water Standard communications director Gayle Collins. Collins agreed that mobile desalination offers the environmental benefits noted by Kreamer. She said that tests of their multi-port system for wastewater disposal show the salt concentration and temperature match that of the surrounding water within 50 feet of the boat. Their vessel, a former vegetable oil tanker that will be rechristened the H2Ocean Cristina, will produce more than 13 million gallons of water a day. The company has not yet determined who will buy the water they produce. Related Links: |
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