Wave-Actuated Tethered Emergency Response Buoyant Reverse Osmosis System
From time to time, we want to update the public on the progress of Water Bros Desal LLC.
We were happy to have WATER BROS alum, Walter “Hank” Wolfe, stop by and join our research meeting last week. He is back in Charlotte for the summer before returning to the Webb Institute to continue his Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering studies.
The best part of WATER BROS is the people we work with and the communities we touch. Two amazing people we have the privilege of working with are Abby McConnell and Allison File, who graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte on March 13, 2023. These fantastic student scholars have been an integral part of the Water Bros team for years, and we wish them both the absolute best as they progress into the next phase of their promising careers!
Abby had the honor of being the student speaker for the UNC Charlotte commencement ceremony this year, and her speech, just like her passion for renewable energy, kindness toward others, and unsurpassed excellence in everything she does, was truly inspiring.
Water Bros Desalination, LLC was invited to present and network at the Innovation Showcase at the 2022 KIETS Climate Leaders Symposium Think and Do: Climate Challenges and Solutions. The opportunity enabled climate leaders from across academia, industry, and policy makers to come together to look at the grand challenges and solutions in the climate sector, specifically pertaining to water quality and control.
Multidisciplinary discussions within climate scientists, water quality experts, innovators, and solution providers provide pivotal insights into the climate solutions of the future.
The WATER BROS Desalination team presented on the challenges and lessons learned from from a near shore wave energy desalination device deployment at the 2022 University Marine Energy Research Community + Marine Energy Technology Symposium. The conference provided three days of marine energy collaboration and networking and expanded opportunities for future growth. We are excited for the next opportunities in the WATER BROS Desalination mission!
In April 2022 the Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratories, and the North Carolina Coastal Studies Institute hosted the Waves to Water Prize Drink Stage Competition. Water Bros Desal, LLC. was joined by Oneka Technologies, MarkZero Prototypes, and Project 816 in Nag’s Head North Carolina to test the prototype wave-powered desalination devices in the open Ocean.
The deployment successfully demonstrated the device’s ability to withstand the deployment, and recovery processes, the ability to produce water, and the challenges of the marine environment.
The Park Scholarships program has selected 112 Finalists for the Class of 2026. including Hank Wolfe of the Water Bros Desalination, Waves to Water Prize Team! Finalists were selected for their accomplishments and potential in scholarship, leadership, service, and character.
Hank has been an outstanding asset to the Water Bros Desal team with his expertise in sailing, commitment to leadership, and analytical mind for solving engineering challenges. All of us at Water Bros Desal wish Hank the best of luck in the final committee selection process for the prestigious Park Scholarship!
Mecklenburg – Walter Henderson Wolfe IV, son of Walter and Michael Wolfe, Huntersville, North Carolina. Walter will graduate from the Community School of Davidson where he is president of the National Honor Society and has been elected a student government representative for four years. He sails competitively on Lake Norman, earning the title of Youth North American Sunfish Champion, and takes part in the research of sustainable water desalination at UNC Charlotte. Walter plans to major in mechanical engineering.
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) announced five winners in the CREATE Stage of the Waves to Water Prize, a competition focused on using the power of waves to develop clean energy-powered desalination technologies to help provide potable water to communities in need.
The full article from Department of Energy gives additional details about the competition and other teams advancing to the final stage with us. We are honored to have the opportunity to continue to pioneer wave energy harvesting and clean energy desalination technologies along with the Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratories, and so many more!
Throughout the DRINK Stage, the final prototype will be developed and rigorously tested ahead of the open water competition at Jennette’s Pier in April 2022.
Between February and August 2021, the Water Bros Desal, LLC team has been hard at work de-risking the prototype solution, refining simulation models, creating small and full-scale prototypes, and testing the prototypes in the open ocean and the University of New Hampshire, Jere A. Chase Ocean Engineering Laboratory (COEL). We look forward to what the next stage will bring! Would you please enjoy the updated CREATE Stage promotional video and poster we have prepared to illustrate the advances made on the project throughout the CREATE Stage.
The Waves to Water Administration and Publicity Team in Collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) released a series of Videos and Articles promoting the Waves to Water ADAPT Stage Winners. Specifically the University affiliate teams.
The video is embedded below and the NREL Article can be found in the NREL News & Feature Stories here.
Throughout the Waves to Water Prize CREATE Stage the team has ramped up the design, production, and testing pace. The laboratory space and local manufacturing capabilities of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Industrial Solutions Laboratory and our local partners have been integral to that rapid pace and iteration.
Water Bros Desalination, LLC greatly appreciates the contributions and support of the Waves to Water Administrative and Communications teams, Engineering for Change, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and Katadyn Group. These collaborations of the engineering, academic, manufacturing, and water communities are critical to the success of the ambitious ventures!