Council Backs EU Study on Wave-Powered Desalination
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council has joined the European DesaLIFE project to explore the potential of wave energy, or the power of the waves, for producing desalinated water via small, zero-CO₂ emission plants, the council has stated.
Agreement to Study Sustainable Water Solutions
The council and Ocean Oasis Canarias, the lead entity for the EU DesaLIFE project, have signed a memorandum of understanding. This agreement commits both parties to studying the technical, economic, environmental, and regulatory viability of an innovative proposal to harness sea energy for producing drinking water, completely eliminating electrical consumption and carbon emissions.
The study will also assess the potential integration of the technology with the water system of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, exploring its capacity to contribute to the irrigation of parks and gardens or for agricultural use.
Collaborative Research and EU Funding
For the study, the council will provide the necessary technical information and collaborate on regulatory and institutional analysis. DesaLIFE will coordinate and execute the research, sharing its results with the council for evaluation.
The DesaLIFE project is co-financed by the European Union under the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency’s (CINEA) LIFE Programme and its Circular Economy and Quality of Life sub-programme. As part of the consortium, researchers from the Renewable Energy Systems Research Group (GRRES) at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the Canary Islands Institute of Technology will participate in the study, alongside specialists from the consultancy Elittoral and the developer Ocean Oasis. The project also draws on the expertise of the Canary Islands Oceanic Platform, PLOCAN.
How the Zero-Emission Technology Works
The Ocean Oasis technology underpinning the study uses the direct mechanical energy of waves to pressurise seawater and produce fresh water through reverse osmosis. It requires no connection to the electricity grid, uses no fuel, and has a minimal environmental footprint.
This 100% renewable system can significantly reduce the energy consumption and emissions associated with conventional desalination. It offers an autonomous, modular solution, providing a decentralised and sustainable approach to reinforcing water security in coastal and island territories under water stress, such as the Canary Islands.
Pathway to Future Implementation
The council’s collaboration with the DesaLIFE project will enable analysis of the wave energy resource in the selected area. It will evaluate the environmental impact and the compatibility of desalination plants with other uses of the marine environment, integration with the municipal water system, and the regulatory and operational framework needed for future project implementation should results prove favourable.
The current agreement signifies a shared will to assess the potential of this sustainable solution for supplying irrigation water to the municipality. If the study yields positive results, the next step would be to advance the possible deployment of this technology along the coast of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
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