What is the Project?
Oneka Technologies is on a mission to make the oceans a sustainable and affordable source of fresh water. An innovative approach to one of the 21st century’s biggest challenges, water scarcity, Oneka utilizes wave-powered desalination to transform seawater into high-quality drinking water. This cutting-edge technology leverages the natural energy provided by decent waves, harnessing it with mechanical buoys that ensure a clean, green process without the need for electricity, fuel, or solar panels. It’s a technology that speaks to the future – simple, effective, and undeniably sustainable…
Main Benefits
The project offers numerous benefits that make Oneka’s desalination solution stand out. Key figures and facts include:
- All-in-One Solution: The system includes offshore pumping through filters and reverse osmosis membranes, delivering all components needed to produce drinking water from seawater, with limited and simple maintenance requirements.
- Zero GHG Emissions: The exclusive use of mechanical buoys means no greenhouse gases are emitted. In fact, for every cubic meter (m³) of water produced per day, 1 tonne of CO2e emissions are avoided.
- Zero Electricity: Relying solely on natural wave energy eliminates the costs and environmental impacts typically associated with electricity, fuel, or solar panels.
- Zero Land Space: With no need for land-based installations, the technology avoids competing for valuable coastal real estate and significantly reduces the impact on local ecosystems.
- Eco-Friendly Brine: The discharged brine has only a slightly higher salt concentration than ocean water, ensuring a negligible impact on marine flora and fauna as it quickly returns to ambient salinity.
- Scalable & Modular System: The desalination units can be easily adjusted to meet evolving freshwater demands without the need to build extensive infrastructure.
- Safer Water Intake: Designed with 60-micron inlet holes and equipped with backwash capabilities, the intake system protects marine life and minimizes maintenance while preserving ecosystems.
Innovative Desalination Technology
At the heart of Oneka’s groundbreaking approach is a system that seamlessly combines seawater with its own wave energy to produce drinking water. The technology integrates modern offshore pumping systems with robust filters and reverse osmosis membranes, ensuring that every drop of produced water meets high-quality standards. Despite the technical sophistication, the system is built with simplicity in mind. Maintenance is kept minimal, thanks to mechanical buoys that operate independently… This means that while the technology continues to offer reliable performance, it does so with a reduced environmental footprint and lower overall costs.
Green Revolution in Water Supply
The technical design of Oneka’s desalination solution delivers a genuine green revolution. Using mechanical buoys to power the process ensures zero greenhouse gas emissions during operation. Instead of costing a lot in energy bills or harmful emissions, the system runs on the natural power of waves alone. There’s an almost conversational simplicity to how the technology works – no complex electrical networks, no dependency on fossil fuels, and no compromise on the quality of water produced. This is a solution that not only meets today’s needs but also anticipates tomorrow’s demand for resilient, sustainable water supplies…
Versatility and Marine Life Preservation
The versatility of Oneka’s technology means it can be adapted to serve a variety of coastal populations and industries. Whether it’s a bustling city, a serene private island, a hotel/resort, a large industrial plant, or even an irrigation system in agricultural expanses, the desalination buoys prove adaptable and effective. A key advantage is the carefully designed intake system, with 60-micron holes that prevent damage to marine ecosystems. Moreover, the anchors of the buoys, although initially placed on barren seabeds, quickly become hotspots for marine life. It’s like nature has its own way of reclaiming and revitalizing these areas, making the solution favorable for both human consumption and the environment.
Scalable and Modular for Future Needs
Oneka’s approach is not just a one-off solution but rather a scalable strategy that evolves alongside its users’ needs. By simply adjusting the number of buoys in an array, the volume of fresh water produced can be scaled up or down. This modularity means there’s no need to invest in large, expensive desalination plants from the outset. The ease of modifying the buoy array is handled entirely by Oneka, ensuring that the project remains hassle-free for its partners and clients. This flexibility paves the way for a water supply that can grow alongside burgeoning coastal populations and expanding industrial demands, while still keeping environmental impact to a minimum.
Project Impact
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – Ensuring everyone has access to safe and affordable water.
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Supporting energy independence by harnessing wave power.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Providing drought-proof water supplies that secure urban resilience.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through eco-friendly technologies.
- SDG 14: Life Below Water – Preserving marine ecosystems with responsible brine management and safe water intakes.
Partnership and Future Vision
Oneka’s network includes a dynamic mix of innovators, trailblazers, and sustainability-focused organizations that share a passion for protecting the environment. Clients and collaborators support efforts to meet their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals while ensuring a steady, reliable water supply for coastal regions. The desalination buoys are proving to be more than just a technical innovation; they represent a partnership aimed at long-lasting positive impact on future generations. This forward-thinking vision focuses on holistic benefits – securing water access, expanding marine habitats, and minimizing ecological disruption – all of which align perfectly with global sustainable development objectives…
