Making it Rain & Rain – Water-from-Air Systems

Imagine if we could make it rain & rain, wherever & whenever we wanted – even in harsh & rural Africa & Bangladesh. Quite surprisingly, our atmosphere already contains 6 times as much waters as all our rivers combined – today remaining largely untapped. 

Our project is The Discovery of Ice being Atmospheric – nature’s very own solution. Quite impressively, we have been able to achieve over 75% savings on capital costs – and ever larger electricity savings too.

Water-from-Air graces Bangladesh directly – Dhaka rating at 1.17, above 1.00 being excellent. Bangladesh is too heavily dependent on aquifers at 80%, versus surface waters at just 20%. Quite unfortunately, Bangladesh also suffers critically from arsenic poisoning & salinity intrusion.

Water-from-Air requires no heavy machinery & drilling altogether – granting 100% universal coverage & 100% rural coverage - the quality of our waters having no rival whatsoever.

Agriculture alone already accounts for over 70%-80% of all withdrawals – even reaching 90%-95% in many developing nations. Yet, only 20% of our fields count with irrigation – only 6% in Africa unfortunately. Irrigation – or to be able to supplement – being the clear key agriculturally.

We fully meet the critical Sustainable Development Goals #6, #2, #15 – having worldwide applicability. We readily provide 100% Water Security atmospherically, right through summers & drought. In turn, we also provide 100% Food Security agriculturally - working day & night, never “drilling” to find no waters.

Lastly, we also fight land degradation & desertification – over 20% of our lands being degraded, even in water-rich Bangladesh. Worldwide, the 2 largest outstanding requests being the lack of rural coverage & summer-time lows – fortunately, atmospherically we excel at both.

Agriculture remains the single largest employer in Bangladesh, at over 50% & over 15% GDP. Finally, Water-from-Air tech being affordable enough for agriculture & developing nations – our systems being built with wood & plastics through 40 feet of height inclusive.

Arsenic poisoning is simply “too much” across Bangladesh alone to favor Water-from-Air instead – as we also provide the “much-needed” 100% rural coverage.

Agriculture & farmer will become our stellar market segment, at over 60%-70% of sales. Agriculture itself being responsible for depleting both our rivers & aquifers – never expecting to find waters without drilling, never expecting to find summer-time highs.

Today´s leading systems – Atmospheric Water Generators – have remained as small luxury home units for developed nations only. Unfortunately, not reaching agriculture & developing nations in need – agriculture itself never expecting to be able to afford Water-from-Air tech.

Small & rural Towns, as well as smaller cities being our next largest market segment at over 30% of sales – Spain itself still counting with hundreds of towns still suffering acute summer-time epidemics. Thanks to Water-from-Air, we can provide 100% rural coverage all across of Bangladesh – being able to work 24x7x365 non-stop.

The drinking waters market segment being a very large market in developing nations, not so in developed nations counting with piped waters already - being applicable to over 2 billion people worldwide. Thanks to Water-from-Air, they can condense right at home & village – not having to walk for waters every day - our waters being truly free from salinity & arsenic.

The Discovery of Ice being Atmospheric has revealed 4 different types of fountains possible – only 2 holding great commercial potential. Quite unfortunately, the yet-unknown Ice Fountains not being commercially-viable solutions – as it would require quite costly & cumbersome block ice. The Winter Fountains also lacking everyday practicality & low costs.

Instead, the Condensation Fountains & Semi-Automatic Fountains being the clear commercial successes – simply undiscovered historically & undeveloped through today. Whereas today’s leading technologies can only produce 100% automatic systems – we provide 100% manual systems & semi-automatic systems for the very first time - perfectly complementing today’s offering (semi-automatic system´s video being readied now).

Quite impressively, we have been able to achieve over 75% savings on capital costs with the 100% manual systems & even higher electricity savings – 3-5-fold - with the semi-automatic systems - thanks to the long-life of ice & affordable Styrofoam boxes. 

Whereas today´s systems are only 100% metal-based - we´re the first ones to use everyday wood & plastics throughout for the very first time. Whereas today´s systems rely on expensive components, materials and proprietary technologies - quite thankfully, we´re able to use today´s existing chest freezers for the 100% manual systems & water-chillers for the semi-automatic systems. 

Whereas today’s costly & high-tech systems find it hard to reach higher & higher – we´ll be easily reaching 40 feet of height now, and over 100-150 feet on our second round of pilots. We expect to meet well over 90% of the demand through this first round of pilots to 40 feet of height – in fact meeting 100% of the demand on our second round of pilots. 

We plan on launching Home Fountains to 6 feet, capable of harvesting 5-50 liters/day, with & without fans. Our Agriculture Fountains to 20 feet, will be able to harvest from hundreds of liters to 5 tons/day – now defaulting to high-powered fans. And culminating with our sky-high City Fountains to 40 feet of height - being capable of harvesting well over 15-20 tons/day.

Quite reassuringly, we’re “re-using” today’s commonly available technologies – chest freezers & water-chillers – taking advantage of their stage of development & much lower costs by now. In parallel, we’re also developing Arduino-run freezers at much lower prices - and just with affordable Styrofoam boxes & ice, replicating water-chiller at a fraction of their costs. 

Historically, Water-from-Air was attempted numerous times throughout the 1900s & 1930s – even building the below massive structures. Unfortunately, humidity & condensation remaining undiscovered & undeveloped since. Condensation being finally discovered thanks to the age of refrigeration – but not in the natural & affordable way with ice & chilled-waters.

Dehumidifiers & Atmospheric Water Generators (AWG), were first commercialized in the ´60s & ´90s – remaining the clear & dominant leaders. Quite remarkably, being in fact 100% automatic systems since – but unfortunately carrying high capital costs & high electricity costs too. Atmospheric Water Generators are 100% active systems as ours – similar to refrigerators – having managed to fully escalate their designs to commercial levels.

Newer desiccant-based systems – being passive systems instead - have been no match commercially at all. Passive systems will harvest much, much fewer waters – not producing live liquid water – using toxic materials - using half a day to regenerate. Unfortunately, just achieving 5%-10% market share only, while remaining largely experimental through today.

Pricing alone has remained the industry’s dismay – as AWGs are otherwise perfect machines on their own right. Especially true on larger commercial units & internationally where’s most needed. Unfortunately, not having reached its main market segments of agriculture & developing nations in need.

Atmospheric Water Generators are costlier than refrigerators. Home units producing 20-30 liters/day, retailing at $1.000-$3.000. Larger commercial units harvesting 2-10 tons/day, quickly reach well over $100.000-$350.000. Unfortunately, desiccant-based systems have been of no help either pricing-wise.

Without ample waters for agriculture – agriculture still being the backbone of Bangladesh – its most basic economy can’t flourish. Water wells alone can’t provide enough water security in all instances – Bangladesh suffering deeply from arsenic contamination & salinity intrusion.

With ample waters for agriculture – Water-from-Air readily granting 100% rural coverage & no drilling required - entire local & rural economies can prosper & be resilient, year after year. In turn, leading to long-term social benefits beyond economic profits & jobs.

Thanks to Water-from-Air – complementary & alternative to water wells – we can provide the extra water security needed all across Bangladesh – reaching all of Bangladesh’s rural towns. In turn, helping Bangladesh sustain its otherwise most important part of its economy. Water-from-Air technology has remained as luxury items today, finally affordable enough even for agriculture & developing nations. 

We’ve yet to enter the market & make sales – now looking to complete the ongoing pilots to 40 feet of height in just a few more months. Yet, all in all – if we manage to easily reach 100-150 feet of height on our second round of pilots – we could in fact start to reach well over 1 billion people altogether within 5 years.

Our larger commercial systems condensing over 10 tons/day – 1 million liters in 100 days – will only achieve 80%-90% market penetration. As we complete our second round of pilots planned – then we’ll be able to reach the largest cities & agricultural fields worldwide – then serving 100% of the demand, and leaving absolutely no one behind.

We simply wouldn’t be able to reach these impressive heights with today’s costly & high-tech technologies, especially in developing nations. The development of our semi-automatic systems – offering unprecedented electricity reductions - coupled with our plastics & wood materials, making this feat possible & reality.

Within 3 years, we’ll have already completed our second round of pilots as well. As such, we’ll expect to be reaching hundreds of millions. We’ll be measuring it across countries & regions. Within the first year in Bangladesh, we could be reaching tens of millions.

We’re currently counting on 2 waves of pilots to fully advance & evolve these brand-new, ice & chilled-waters systems. In this first round of pilots, we’ll be easily reaching the ground-breaking height of 12 meters (40 feet), altogether – today’s systems at just 2-3 meters only. Through this first round of pilots, we’ll be developing our 100% manual systems & semi-automatic systems.

The second round of pilots – expected within the second year of life - will further develop & evolve our nature’s intended Water-from-Air systems, to reach well over 100-150 feet in all. We also expect to develop 100% automatic systems then – these pricier units being used in home & office settings mainly, in developed nations.

Within 5 years, our international expansion to both developed & developing nations will also be key. Clearly, financial constraints will be the limiting factor in our sure-bet expansion - as we benefit developing nations mainly, all across Africa & Asia.  

Quite fortunately, we don’t expect any major & impeding issues at all through the pilots. In fact, we have already determined which 2 of the 4 fountains to develop & commercialize. We have already gone through the early stages of testing, validation, and prototyping. We have already researched the industry in depth – fully understanding our solution’s positioning.

Yet, there are many other hurdles & barriers to overcome – but of the manageable kind. Currently, the main outstanding barriers are Water-from-Air´s limited visibility & disappointing sales levels – size & height also posing its own set of challenges – and the development of 2 new technologies. Of course, there being “normal” financial barriers too.

Within 5 years, our main challenges will lie in the successful completion of the second round of pilots to 100-150 feet – and our international expansion to both developed & developing nations. We don’t expect financial barriers past our first 2 years of life.  

Regarding limited visibility & disappointing sales level – time, necessity and our much lower prices helping in the slow but progressive adoption of Water-from-Air systems – having worldwide applicability & granting 100% rural coverage.

Regarding height – we expect to easily reach 40 feet of height. While today’s costly & high-tech systems find it hard to reach higher & higher, thanks to our much lower costs & ease-of-use, such feat being very realistic indeed – well beyond today’s 6-9 feet of height only.

Regarding the 100% manual systems & semi-automatic systems – it’s our pleasure to showcase all that ice & chilled-waters can offer. As the technologies are well developed by now – chest freezers & water-chillers – we don’t expect any major complications.

Regarding our 5-year plan, we don’t expect any major issues on the second round of pilots either. Quite thankfully, the engines to be used on those much larger systems, are the same ones we’ll be finalizing now. Regarding our international expansion, again we don’t expect any major challenges there either more than financial barriers.

Regarding financial barriers, we will find barriers to both complete the pilots & enter the market. Thankfully, we don’t need exaggerated amounts to complete both tasks & enter the market. We’re currently estimating $150,000-$200,000 needed in total.  

Water-from-Air systems will thrive all across Bangladesh – as Bangladesh borders the atmospheric highs based on the equator. Thanks to their much warmer climate – Water-from-Air systems can work day & nigh, January through December – becoming a 100% reliable water source. We’ll still be providing highs through their warm winters, when most needed.

Quite unfortunately, Bangladesh suffers gravely over arsenic poisoning & salt intrusion – over 30% of Bangladesh’s 10-million tube wells being poisoned with arsenic – salt intrusion also making its way & hampering agricultural development. 

Deep water wells – deeper than 150 meters – though they provide arsenic-free waters, clearly remain out-of-reach for most of the population & farmers, especially rurally. Over 95% of all drinking waters in rural Bangladesh comes from water wells.

Clearly, our greatest advantages lies in providing 100% clean & safe drinking waters – being able to provide 100% rural coverage all across Bangladesh – while not eve requiring heavy machinery & drilling at all. The quality of our waters having no rival - free from arsenic, salts, nitrates and even PFAs. 

We can meet the needs of over 80%-90% of Bangladeshis through our first round of pilots – and 100% on our second round - both in urban centers & rurally as well. Agriculture will remain being our stellar market segment at over 70% of sales – towns & cities at over 20%-30% - while as drinking waters will account for over 10%-20%. 

I´m personally the only one working full-time on this Water-from-Air project since 2016. Roland Wahlgren being only part-time dedicated. 

Quite admirably – we count with 3 accelerators on our team already - potentially counting with over 70.000€ in free financing from them. In fact, we’re now concluding 1 final, 1 semi-final and an Investor’s Forum -  celebrated this October-November.

The Global Resilience Partnership - being USAID-led – has been leading the development world since 2014, having already granted over $20 million – working exclusively for developing nations across Africa & Asia. ClimateLaunchpad being the largest green idea business competition worldwide – with over 2.500 applicants – giving 10 direct passes to the renowned EIT Climate-KIC accelerator, worth 55.000€ in free grants, and small cash prizes.

Further, since September ´18, we’ve already gone through the Invierte Parque Científico & Tecnológico Cartuja accelerator in Seville, Spain – having concluded in February ´19 with an Investor’s Forum. Having also graduated from Y Combinator Summer School & numerous courses online too.

The Canadian Roland Wahlgren being the leading worldwide atmospheric consultant – being personally author of the book Water-from-Air: Quick Guide. Roland is a long-standing veteran in the Water-from-Air industry since 1984 – being frequently quoted on the industry’s leading articles.

I was personally born & raised in Seville, Spain. I was fortunate enough to study & work in the US – holding both my BBA & MBA from the University of Miami, Florida. I’ve worked as a Marketing Analyst  & Project Manager after my MBA for SPSS. As a Project Manager, we designed & built extensive Data Warehouses & Executive Information Systems.  

We’re currently developing a Kenya pilot project with our accelerator, the Global Resilience Partnership - expecting to get USAID DIV approval & funding. The Global Resilience Partnership’s mandate is to work in and for developing nations only – across Africa & SE Asia.

Having just inaugurated their accelerator this March, their original plan was to grant a few select projects to help them pilot in developing nations. Yet, plans were changed to include an investor’s forum for all projects instead – now being celebrated this November in London.

The Global Resilience Partnership would also be willing & able to support us right in Bangladesh as well – instead of Kenya – the pilots being practically the same on both cases. While the Global Resilience Partnership won’t be able to support us financially directly – they will be able to help in the design & planning, as well as on the execution & project management, and country & local contacts.

Our business model is the traditional commerce/retail business model – B2C mainly to farmers - as most items are sold today. We sell our Water-from-Air systems on a margin – the customer must pay full price for the systems up-front – and they retain 100% ownership of the systems. We’ve also made it our case not to add any additional recurrent services & costs, being a one-time purchase.

Currently, for a lack of an established market, the industry relies mainly upon direct sales from the manufacturers, as we will too – especially on larger commercial units. Distributors being available to a lesser extent – most sales being online.

Bangladesh suffers enormously from water contamination – both with arsenic & salinity – affecting both the drinking waters & agricultural production too. Quite fortunately, Water-from-Air waters are free from both – granting life-saving value all across Bangladesh.

We grant 100% rural coverage all across Bangladesh, key to its population. There being no heavy machinery & drilling required - finally, Water-from-Air tech being affordable enough - Bangladesh counting with atmospheric highs year-round. 

Currently, the industry makes use of the leading international water fairs – including WEFTEC in Chicago & SIWW in Stockholm. Most countries, including Spain, also having minor numerous water fairs throughout the year. The industry has also been graced lately with some of the largest development prices – including the $1.75 million Xprize Water Abundance Challenge for Water-from-Air tech – and the $2 million FAMAE Precious Water challenge for water-tech.

As mentioned previously, we´re currently faced with financial constraints to finalize the ongoing pilots & enter the market. While our project doesn´t requite “astronomical” investments – we still need $150.000 - $200.000 to get through the pilots to 40 feet & market entry via Kickstarter. We don´t expect financial constraints past the first 2 year of life.

Also as mentioned, we´ve potentially won over 70.000€ from our current sponsors – being celebrated this October-November. Further, we´re expecting to complete over 45 grant calls in 2019 alone – and expecting to keep up the pace in 2020 as well.

Potential free sources of financing include USAID DIV, Creating Hope in Conflict, The Water Council, and the EU´s SME Instrument programs. Accelerator/equity programs include Y Combinator, Techstars, The Yield Lab, and FoodTech accelerator.

As we already count with 3 accelerators on our team, we trust to be able to attract equity-granting accelerators now. Some of them being true partners, offering extensive mentoring & coaching, beyond financial means. 

We also count on increased sales levels through our second round of pilots to 100-150 feet - almost doubling our sales then. 

Bangladesh is a key market for us altogether – being graced with year-round atmospheric highs thanks to their warmer climate. Quite unfortunately, being posed with serious health issues due to widespread arsenic contaminaton. Potentially expanding into the much larger Indian market & other surrounding markets as well.

Water-from-Air systems will become the perfect companion & alternative to water wells – there being over 10 million tube wells in Bangladesh alone. There being no depletion with Water-from-Air systems– no upper limit either – 100% clean & safe waters – and no drilling required.

We also wouldn´t be more excited & anxious to join the MIT SOLVE family, having applied on your second-to-last challenges on Work of the Future. As we already count with 3 accelerators on our team – MIT SOLVE will surely prove to be the final key addition to our team.

Lastly, as mentioned – we´re currently needing financing to finalize the ongoing pilots & enter the market via Kickstarter. Certainly, we would be thrilled to finalize the ongoing pilots in Bangladesh instead – as 50% of the financing will need to be spent directly in Bangladesh.

Unfortunately, we´re not yet fully up-to-date on the Bangladesh market & main actors. We would be looking for MIT SOLVE´s advice in that regard. Yet as mentioned, our current accelerator the Global Resilience Partnership, will also be able to support us in Bangladesh as well – being a developing nation.