The feasibility of atmospheric water generators on small tropical Islands - a case study on Koh Rong Sanloem, Cambodia

Abstract

Water scarcity is an increasing global issue and the need for clean drinking wateris set to increase with a growing global population and the effects of climatechange. Small tropical islands, when not having a natural spring, cannot rely ongroundwater since the freshwater lenses are merely a very thin layer, floatingabove the underlying seawater. Due to changes in in sea level as an effect ofclimate change, these lenses are predicted to further decrease. Often the onlysource of drinking water on small islands is importing it in bottled form. This is notonly inefficient in terms of energy footprint and price, but also creates a wasteproblem that these islands usually fail to adequately address.Instead of relying on groundwater, one could harvest the water needed straightfrom the air: Atmospheric Water Generation seems to be a viable solution whenconsidering atmospheric conditions and spatial constraints on small tropicalislands. This however requires quite some energy and when thinking of the fragileecosystems small islands are, a clean energy source would be favourable –avoiding the environmental burdens diesel generators bring as well as beingindependent from the volatile oil market.Finally, when thinking of tourism, a way of providing water in hygienic andacceptable manner is also an aspect that must be considered.Therefore, this thesis combines these thoughts and showcases four differentmodels of Atmospheric Water Generation: first as a standalone project, secondincluding the option of a sustainable bottling system, third including a Photovoltaicplant to power the water generation in a sustainable manner and lastly includingthe bottling system and the photovoltaic plant, for a holistic approach.Throughout a Profit and Loss Analysis it is shown that all four models would notonly improve the water situation, but also offer high returns for possible investors.The aim of this thesis is essentially to create an incentive not only forgovernments to reduce water scarcity and improve the waste situation in such anisland setting, but also show that the private sector can make a profit here and indoing so help small tropical islands become more sustainable.

Water scarcity is an increasing global issue and the need for clean drinking wateris set to increase with a growing global population and the effects of climatechange. Small tropical islands, when not having a natural spring, cannot rely ongroundwater since the freshwater lenses are merely a very thin layer, floatingabove the underlying seawater. Due to changes in in sea level as an effect ofclimate change, these lenses are predicted to further decrease. Often the onlysource of drinking water on small islands is importing it in bottled form. This is notonly inefficient in terms of energy footprint and price, but also creates a wasteproblem that these islands usually fail to adequately address.Instead of relying on groundwater, one could harvest the water needed straightfrom the air: Atmospheric Water Generation seems to be a viable solution whenconsidering atmospheric conditions and spatial constraints on small tropicalislands. This however requires quite some energy and when thinking of the fragileecosystems small islands are, a clean energy source would be favourable –avoiding the environmental burdens diesel generators bring as well as beingindependent from the volatile oil market.Finally, when thinking of tourism, a way of providing water in hygienic andacceptable manner is also an aspect that must be considered.Therefore, this thesis combines these thoughts and showcases four differentmodels of Atmospheric Water Generation: first as a standalone project, secondincluding the option of a sustainable bottling system, third including a Photovoltaicplant to power the water generation in a sustainable manner and lastly includingthe bottling system and the photovoltaic plant, for a holistic approach.Throughout a Profit and Loss Analysis it is shown that all four models would notonly improve the water situation, but also offer high returns for possible investors.The aim of this thesis is essentially to create an incentive not only forgovernments to reduce water scarcity and improve the waste situation in such anisland setting, but also show that the private sector can make a profit here and indoing so help small tropical islands become more sustainable.