Turkish scientist leads solar power to fresh water team

By Muhsin Baris Tiryakioglu

ANKARA (AA) - A group of researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) led by a Turkish scientist have discovered a solar-powered solution to produce fresh water from saltwater.

Emre Gencer of MIT’s Energy Initiative described the model they found to Anadolu Agency.

He underlined that they were inspired by countries with plenty of sunlight but little water to spare.

“Fresh water, electricity, and hydrogen can be produced using solar energy and saltwater, which are among the world’s most abundant resources,” he explained.

“First we evaporate the water using solar energy systems. We produce electricity by sending the obtained steam to steam turbines.”

“The steam produced by the power generation phase is directed to the thermal treatment system and is used to heat the saltwater. At this stage, some of the saltwater evaporates and fresh water is obtained,” he said.