Watly is the first solar-powered computer that purifies water from any source of contamination, generates electricity off-grid, and allows internet connectivity everywhere.
THE MISSION:
During its 15 years of service, one Watly can reduce as much as 2500 tons of greenhouse gas emissions(CO2) equivalent to 5000 barrels of oil.
WATER - Watly purifies up to 3 million liters of water per year and it works on solar energy too.
Watly generates the very same energy it needs to function, it does not require fuel or a connection to the electric grid. Watly efficiently desalinates ocean water, eliminates all pathogens and microorganisms from previously polluted water, including: viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi or cysts. It removes inorganic compounds as well as poisons: arsenic, benzene, heavy metals (such as lead), chlorine, chloramines, and radionuclides. It purifies water from any organic compounds and liquid contents of latrines. It does not need membranes or filter substitutions. It even purifies radioactive water.
The physical principle underlying this innovative system is called vapor compression distillation. It is by far the most effective and powerful method of water purification and desalination available.
ELECTRICITY - Watly generates the very same energy it needs to function.
It does not need to be connected to an electric grid. Watly produces off-grid electricity to power its own internal electronics (computers, multiple-screens, 3D printers and different telecommunication devices), as well as external devices (portable computers, mobile phones, portable lamps, radios, televisions, household appliances).
The free electricity generated by Watly is made available to people via multiple battery chargers and electric plugs.
CONNECTIVITY - Watly is a powerful communication device that can collect and send any kind of data to the Web.
Watly is a powerful communication device that can collect and send any kind of data (videos, images, audios, texts, ratios, etc.) to the Internet as well as to any other compatible communication device.
A single Watly is a standing alone machine, but two or more Watlys become a network where each node is auto-powered, self-sustained and multi-functional.
A growing number of Watlys deployed around the world will contribute to form the next big thing, the so called “Energynet” the global smart-grid in which water and electricity fuse together with information technology.
HOW IT WORKS: (as told by the Watly team)
What is the meaning of your tagline: Life Energy Future?
Our actual tagline is based on three powerful concepts: Life. Energy. Future.
They are our fundamental pillars upon which we intend to build our company value proposition.
“Life” is related to Water, since water is the source of life for every living being.
“Energy” is a synonym of Electricity, certainly the modern way for empowering people.
“Future” refers to Connectivity, as a means of education, social evolution, future well being. In the XXIst century, the internet is everywhere and there is no future for disconnected communities.
Why are you combining water treatment, solar energy and Wifi all in the same device?
We could not design a modern solution and not think about integrating these three elements altogether. The beauty is that these services can be generated by exclusively harvesting solar energy. We provide clean water by leveraging the thermal effect of the solar irradiation. Through photovoltaic technology we generate electricity. With electricity we can power internal telecommunications devices (for satellite or 4G connection).
Watly provides multiple services because each one is the consequence of the other. Watly is a multi-utility solar HUB and does not compete neither with water filtration systems or off-grid electricity generators. We are not simply building a product but a technological paradigm. Watly is something entirely new never seen before. And if this is not enough, wait to see how in the next future, Watly will also integrate many other amazing features.
How many people will you deliver water to?
One standard unit of Watly can deliver water to communities of up to 3000 people. It can purify up to 5000L of clean water in an average sunny day. Watly is scalable and can also be replicated, and so can the number of people that can benefit from it.
How will you control Water supply for everyone in an equal way?
We are developing W-Tank, a 5L plastic water tank for personal usage. We will deliver one to each individual. Watly automatically refills this tanks when inserted in the machine by it’s owner, we can track the usage through its internal RFID chip.
How many people will you deliver electricity to and how?
In theory one standard unit of Watly could recharge as many as 20000 smart-phones a day or about 5000 W-lights. Practically, we will serve hundreds of people each day for being able to be energy independent for 5-7 days.
How are people going to know how to use this machine?
We count with the help of NGO’s and field partners to instruct communities about how Watly works. Anyways, we are designing simple visual instructions and sound effects that will guide people through the daily use of Watly, it interacts with people through different interfaces and multi-utilities workstations..
How will you assure security and theft?
Watly is pre-built in a factory, it is extremely difficult to disassemble any piece. Our designers have avoided using visible screws to prevent temptation and create beautiful lines.
How are you going to transport this machine to hard to reach villages?
Watly is made of pre-built macro components. A complete and fully operational unit of Watly equipped with 3000 water tanks and 1000 battery power LED lights can be delivered to any location of the world by deploying five 40” high cube containers, each transportable by standard trucks. All Watly’s macro-components fit together automatically, only between four to eight days are needed from receiving the components to having the machine fully operational.
Have you proven your technology?
Our first prototype has been tested since July 2013, providing consistent data regarding reliability, efficiency and efficacy of the system. Our second prototype has been tested since March 2014, showing high levels of performance and no signs of mechanical failures or breakdowns. One prototype has been tested in Ghana. The outcomes were hugely successful. Several rounds inlet and outlet water analysis have conducted by accredited laboratories. Watly has successfully passed Philips Innovation Risk Assessment. Watly’s team is collaborating with TuV Rheinland to apply for a quality certification by TUV. Watly Factory is ISO 9001 and 14001 Certified.
Is your technology patented?
Indeed we have already obtained two major patents. Moreover Watly R&D department is applying for a patent relative to graphene based technologies as well as patent application relative to a vapor compression distillation unit with unprecedented level of efficiency and reliability.
For how many years will Watly be fully functional?
Watly's operational lifespan is of +10 years, even in the harshest environmental working conditions.
Watly’s lifespan can be extended beyond this limit with a complete check-up and a thorough maintenance intervention (+15-20 years).
How will you take care of the maintenance?
Anyone with basic technical knowledge and minimum skills can manage Watly. It has been designed to be fully autonomous and to require a minimum level of ordinary maintenance. In any case, should some intervention be needed, end users are always provided with a detailed but intuitive and friendly maintenance manual. Watly has local partners in each country to perform those technical interventions that do require specific training in possible failures, breakdowns, and extraordinary maintenance might be needed. By doing so, Watly also creates jobs locally.
How “green” is Watly?
During its 15 years of service, one Watly can reduce as much as 2000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions (CO2), which is equivalent to 5000 barrels of oil. Watly also aims to reduce as much as possible the carbon footprint “during” the production phase of its devices. Watly is applying for life cycle inventory and impact assessment and plans to recycle up to 88.9% of its components.
How does the wastewater treatment process take place exactly, and how does it compare to existing technologies?
Watly’s purification process works exclusively on solar energy and is based on the physical principle of vapor compression distillation. It is by far the most effective and powerful method of water purification and desalination available. The quality of the water purified by Watly, is outstanding, absolutely pure, low mineralized and with a perfect pH balance (6.8 - 7.2). Watly efficiently desalinates ocean water, eliminates all pathogens and microorganisms from previously polluted water, including: viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi or cysts. It removes inorganic compounds as well as poisons: arsenic, benzene, heavy metals (such as lead), chlorine, chloramines, and radionuclides. It does not need membranes or filter substitutions. It even purifies radioactive water.
Watly in terms of efficacy, outperforms reverse osmosis, nano-filtration or ultraviolet purification methods. Existing technologies are pure water filtering machines rather than technological HUBs such as Watly. They require periodical maintenance and technical skills from the user point of view due to the use of filters and membranes. In addition, while studying the competition we have often found critical mechanical issues on both the thermal/electrical side. These systems are meant to fail, in harsh environments such as African or Indian landscapes.
Watly does not use Reverse Osmosis, right?
No, it does not and for good cause.
Comparing to reverse osmosis (the method used almost by default):
• Watly does not use filters or membranes (which eliminates the need of substitution and risk of fouling and/or breakdowns).
• Watly does not needs chemicals such as membrane cleaners, scale inhibitors, antiscalants, corrosion inhibitors, biocides, disinfectants, de-chlorinators and flocculants.
• Watly does not waste water or reject untreated water back into the environment. (Watly efficacy is > 99.5%; versus standard methods which are = 30-70%)
• Watly does not have a defined limit of water contamination capability processing (provided that we are talking about liquid substances, not mud or solid waste only)
• Watly does not destabilize the molecular structure of water; it simply reformats it to its natural pure energetic status.
Does Watly deliver distilled water?
No, it does not. Distilled water is only obtained during one of the intermediate phases of the purification process. Once water is purified, Watly re-mineralizes it and brings it back to ideal levels of pH.
Can you tell us with more detail about the purification method used?
check our webpage for more technical info: http://watly.co/watly
Why don’t you commercialise Watly 2.0?
Many months ago, we were following a different market approach. The idea was to build portable units, ideal for families and small communities. We have not completely abandoned the idea but for the moment, we have steered away from it and opted for building an “infrastructural solution” that can provide services to big communities and big villages.
What's the market reception so far?
During the last months we have been gaining greater and greater momentum. There is a huge interest from potential customers around the world, ranging from the public sector, schools, hospitals, big corporations and NGOs. We have been in contact with some African governments that are budgeting large investments for solving their water and electricity issues. These countries are seriously considering renewable energy as key solutions. We have also been contacted by Indian representatives. The Middle-East will also be an extremely interesting market for us, especially Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar. Surprisingly we have even been contacted by people from California and Australia where water is becoming more and more of a problem. We are also in the radar of big corporations since they understand Watly as a mean of extending their portfolio of services.
Are you a for profit company?
We are a for “ethical” profit company. We do business accordingly to profound ethical values. It is quite clear that we are addressing ones of the greatest challenges of humanity but also ones of the biggest business opportunities of XXIst century. There is a huge market for those entrepreneurs and investors willing to make a step forward.
What's your business model?
We sell our hardware to the public sector, schools, hospitals as well as big corporations and NGOs (BtoB, BtoG). We can also keep the ownership of the hardware and operate as a service provider. These services are delivered to final users and paid-as-they-go formula (BtoC).
OUR THOUGHTS:
Wow, just wow. Water, Electricity and connectivity - it's modern sustainability at it's finest. What a fantastic invention. The company is currently sourcing funds through Indiegogo. They are offering fantastic perks, even one that allows you to leave your name on the side of the Watly machine!
Check out some of the offers: (view there Indiegogo site for all perks)
The company has already raised $14,500.00 with a month still to go. This is life changing stuff, if you can't contribute then help spread the word, share this page on facebook.
Take a look below to see what this could one day be:
For more information about this awesome machine, check out the following links:
Pura Vida guys!