IBM, the computer technology geniuses, have unveiled a 30ft solar energy generator, capable of converting the sun's radiation into a source of electricity and hot water.
The generator itself using the sun's energy to create artificial power isn't new, however, a solar energy generator used for the purposes of creating clean and hot water for drinking and sanitation is incredibly innovative.
As of 2014, 2.5 billion people are believed to have no access to proper sanitation.
The contraption, which resembles a giant concrete and aluminium flower, uses cooling systems and the energy it produces to heat water, to desalinate water. Through the impressive cooling channels in the system, temperatures could hit 1000C. A single device produces 12 kilowatts of electricity and 20 kilowatts of heat on a sunny day. They cost, according to IBM, roughly a third to a half of the cost for a "comparable" converter.
IBM says it plans to install the first two "sunflowers" by 2016 for free and have invited towns across the world to apply for one of the devices.
Cedrec's take
The "sunflower" is a new and exciting piece of technology, but it has some detractors.
First of all, the output is not quite as dazzling as we would have hoped. One very large concrete flower will power "several houses". As for now, an indeterminate amount of "sunflowers" will be needed to power a town of 30,000 houses, for example. Judging from their appearances, each "sunflower" will take a large amount of space and where that space will be found, we aren't too sure. They will certainly not be replacing energy sources such as panels in London, for example, any time soon. There is the matter of how many will be needed to produce a viable amount of electricity and hot water.
Solar energy is another problem for the UK. We are simply not blessed with a Spanish sun, unfortunately. Windfarms are growing both in size of the sites and number of the turbines, because Blighty is blustery and more wind in more wind turbines generates more energy. The difference here, as opposed to panels, is the radiation is more efficiently used, so perhaps IBM have managed to crack a code that allows us to maximise what sunlight we do get.
Finally, the technology this offers is a welcome sight amongst the increasing urgency for developing countries to have access to clean, safe water. However, the free two devices are being offered to towns across the world who have to apply. Where a town or village might have such need of an innovation like this, to combat levels of illnesses that should, with our understanding of health, be eradicated anyway, the possibility that an engineer able to maintain such a device is rather unlikely. Ironically, perhaps, IBM have asked towns to apply for the "sunflowers" yet have hopes they will be used in remote resorts, hospitals and hotels.
Hopefully, such qualms are unjustified, and if IBM can stick to their 2016 pledge for the free two "sunflowers", we will be able to understand them better, and get a sense of how practical they are. Clean drinking water and access to sanitary conditions should be available world wide, not just in certain regions. With renewable energy now being combined with fighting both climate change and sanitation, the future is looking brighter and cleaner every day.
