Recently in Design for Water Category

Plastic is called precisely that because of its malleability - most importantly, it doesn't have to end up as waste! Portuguese art collective, Colectivo da Rainha created a variety of re-used plastic products for project reMix - a call to social innovation. 

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The international push for greater dependence on renewable energy sources sparked significant growth in the number of solar power projects in 2011. In the Southwestern United States, the nation's most arid climate, solar power can reach maximum efficiency potential and is hailed a great solution to reduce carbon emissions and pollution. In Germany, solar power output increased by 60% in 2011. In nations such as India and China, economic and population growth has facilitated the growth of solar energy plans as solar facilities simply add to the grid instead of replacing other energy sources. The largest completed project in New England, a 44 MW proposed project in Peru, and additional large-scale projects in Canada and France made 2011 a great year for solar power.

These recent advances have reintroduced a debate surrounding solar power efficiency that first received media attention about 4 years ago. Solar facilities require massive amounts of water. Facilities that use photovoltaic panels require approximately 16,600 gallons per megawatt annually. Solar facilities that utilize wet-cooling solar thermal tactics use more than 2 million gallons per megawatt annually, and even more water is necessary for cooling in particularly hot regions where evaporation occurs more rapidly. On average, solar parabolic troughs use three times as much water as a coal power plant and nearly twice as much as a nuclear plant per megawatt hour. In a dry, sunny region where solar power is often seen as most logical based on foreseen efficiency, it can prove impractical to expand an industry that needs so much of a scarce resource.
 
Much of the need for water use on solar arrays does not come from operating the facility, but instead from cleaning the panels. Solar photovoltaic panels can lose up to 3% efficiency due to dust collection, which is a visible problem in the desert. The bigger the plant, the more power lost with the presence of dirt and dust. Dusty cells are washed using tap water hoses often moved and operated from trucks. This must be done at least three times a year to keep the facility at maximum efficiency.

This contentious issue has been largely ignored in reports of new solar projects, especially in arid regions where solar power is of growing popularity. Although solar energy has several environmental benefits, many wonder whether it is wise to develop an industry without recognizing the consequences of increased water scarcity. Experts in Arizona, California, and Nevada have pushed for the development of solar facilities that use less water and a cost-benefit analysis of water use in solar facilities. As water conservation is directly linked to sustainability and what is green, the overuse of water resources to maintain solar facilities questions their feasibility as a green energy solution. We must ponder whether new solar power projects are really benefiting people and the environment as much as they advertise, or whether further advancements to increase water efficiency of solar facilities is necessary, especially before they are developed in water-scarce regions. Solar power has great potential, but must we perfect the technology and its efficiency before rushing into large-scale implementation? The 2011 year of say go to solar would say no.  

Photo Credit: "Solar Panels" by spanginator from Flickr used under the Creative Commons Copyright

Since TapIt first launched with Global Tap in San Francisco last year, the number of hydration stations across the city has gone from a single unit to eight, including two at the San Francisco International Airport. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission promotes these bottle refilling locations as a healthy alternative to single-use plastic water bottles by providing a way to refill on the go.

The 8 stations are located throughout the city, with an interactive Google map pinpointing their locations. The agency has installed the tap stations to provide everyone with free access to high-quality, great tasting tap water from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite National Park. The water costs less than half a penny per gallon, is tested over 100,000 times per year, and is held to higher standards and regulations set by than EPA than some bottled water companies. 

We all enjoy a cool glass of tap water when we are thirsty. What if we could have that experience in a bottle? 

Aquaponics is the cultivation of plants and aquatic animals in a re-circulating environment. A combination of aquaculture and hydroponics, aquaponics pairs fish and plants in one integrated system. Fish waste provides a food source for the growing plants and the plants provide and natural filter for the water the fish live in. This creates a sustainable ecosystem where both plants and fish can thrive. A small aquaponics system utilizing a ten-gallon fish tank can produce up to eight heads of lettuce in just four to six weeks.

One of the fastest growing agricultural industries since the 1990's, aquaponics offers a way to produce food indoors (with utilization of available sunlight). The benefits include relatively simple and sustainable food production, but also an opportunity for students to gain exposure to agriculture and learn the importance of a green lifestyle. It can be used as a learning tool, exciting activity, and interesting hobby. Community-scale systems are frequently implemented in schools and educational facilities. Larger scale aquaponics systems exist around the globe in food production facilities, learning and research centers, and other fishery locations.

Interested in constructing an aquaponics system in your own home? Basic kits for sale and information about assemblage and upkeep are available from Nelson Pade. Those interested in taking a vacation to the beautiful coast of Maine for a July weekend this summer can attend and public aquaponics workshop. Housing is available at this exciting event, which comes complete with an aquaponics kit from Herring Gut Learning Center in Port Clyde, Maine.

Photo Credit: Herring Gut Learning Center


 

 

Since the geniuses behind Bobble came out with individualized filters for water bottles, I have definitely observed a trend towards more innovative products that challenges the conventional notion of what a "water bottle" is. I have previously reviewed a CamelBak bottle but I could not resist getting the new Groove (TM) after seeing that it has a built-in filter! Yes! The filter is built into the straw but you don't have to recycle the entire filter (along with the plastic), you just switch out the carbon filter stick inside.

This Earth Day, April 22nd, students at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina created a visual display to bring attention to the use of water bottles. The bottle Earth was meant to educate students about how much waste is created by using plastic water bottles and was an effort to raise awareness about the benefits of the tap.

Wofford's students used green and blue dye to fill around 1000 water bottles, and then neatly arranged the bottles to show a global display in front of the historic Old Main on the school's campus. The bottles were collected from a recycling area located near the campus dining hall. The bottled globe was put together primarily by students enrolled in one of the college's environmental studies courses and was led by senior environmental studies major Danielle Peoples. The vibrant display brought Earth Day to the attention of many students. A video about the display is located here.

Photo Credit: Alex C. Hicks Jr. and GoUpstate.com

Across the country, the limitless realm of art includes galleries, schools, and installations that focus on water as nature, beauty, and a resource. Water, sustainability, and conservation have become more popular themes in artistic representation from Maine to California and beyond. For those interested in learning more about how art has contributed to environmental awareness and brought to light many issues surrounding access to clean water, below are just a few of the thousands of examples of representations of water in today's art scene.

In Belfast, Maine, Waterfall Arts features art classes, showings, and exhibits that connect art with the environment and sustainability. The school, gallery and studio spaces promote creative engagement for a sustainable future. This fall, the artist and student mentoring program Branching Out will include a focus on water. Many outdoor art installations also include water themes. 

Artist Christine Destrempes of New Hampshire educates about water issues through installations and public participation art projects. Her first project that focuses on water as a resource, "13,699", symbolizes the average number of people who die each day due to lack of access to clean water. The installation uses bottle caps to create a visually stunning design of a flowing cube. Her current exhibition "River of Words Stream of Conscience" that will run through April 30th in Petersborough, New Hampshire includes several thought provoking pieces such as a waterfall made of hand-written letters.

In South Bend, Indiana twelve artistically decorated rain barrels will be on display at the South Bend Museum of Art in beginning April 25th. The rain barrels were painted by approximately 70 special needs preschool children in the surrounding area, and in May the barrels will be auctioned with proceeds going to the Indiana University South Bend Center for a Sustainable Future.

At Lane County Community College in Eugene, Oregon, this year's Annual Peace Symposium is water themes. The "Water for Life, Not for Profit" event includes artist Janet Essley's show "Daughters of the Earth" among other lectures and presentations about water justice.

Rick Stich, the resident artist at the Lux Art Institute in San Diego, California has brought water art into the gallery through boat and pool art installations. Stich, an avid surfer, has sparked the imaginations of visiting students who have begun sketching their own reflections in the pool based on the way in which light reflects off the water. Stich and his work will be at the Institute through mid-May.

Photo Credit: "Eau Water" by Humanoide from flickr used under the creative commons copyright.