COOSW Desalination Tech Targeting Small Communities and Hydrogen Production
An international consortium led by researchers from Spain is testing a new desalination technology at the Canary Islands Ocean Platform, known as Plocan. The goal is to supply clean water to small communities and potentially enable hydrogen production using minimal energy. The method can leverage residual heat from industrial systems or energy captured from the sea itself.
The project, called COOSW, integrates multiple scientific innovations and technological advances. It features a desalination plant the size of a standard portable sea container that uses multistage vacuum distillation to produce very pure water suitable for various critical applications.
The principal researcher involved is Pedro Arnau of the International Center for Numerical Methods in Engineering, part of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and the Generalitat de Catalunya. The team reports that testing is underway in Gran Canaria. The system could be used to supply water for drinking or for energy applications such as hydrogen production in isolated communities, ships, or offshore platforms lacking a fixed electrical connection. It could also serve tourist complexes or humanitarian emergency camps among other scenarios.
One notable feature of this vacuum distillation desalination approach is its energy efficiency. The process can operate with less than 1.7 kilowatt-hours per cubic meter and can draw on industrial or renewable waste heat sources such as geothermal heat, wave energy, machinery exhaust, or heating system losses that are normally dispersed in the atmosphere.
The first pilot facility is currently operating at Plocan and fits inside a standard 20-foot shipping container, making it a portable technology that can be deployed for on-site testing and demonstrations.
Additionally, the byproduct of the desalination process has varied potential uses. The low-sodium salt concentrate is considered high value-added and could have applications in regions such as Asia and Chile, as noted by project technical directors Naeria Navarro and Javier Soraluce.
COOSW is a collaborative effort involving Mexico (UNAM), the Dominican Republic (PUCMM), Germany (FRAUNHOFER), and Spain (Autonomous University of Barcelona, Plocán, and Cimne), coordinated by the International Center for Numerical Methods in Engineering. This international cooperation highlights the shared interest in advancing desalination technology and its practical applications on land and at sea.
Experiments on the Canary Islands Ocean Platform demonstrate that a population of about 2,500 people could be supplied with roughly ten cubic meters of high-purity water, supporting energy-conscious operation and larger-scale production facilities as demand grows.
Professor Asier Ibeas of the Autonomous University of Barcelona notes that conventional desalination relies on evaporating seawater to separate liquid from solid residues, a process that consumes substantial energy. The COOSW approach emphasizes a compact and efficient system that uses minimal energy inputs while producing water pure enough to support hydrogen production and versatile use for both consumption and energy generation in places where power access is limited.
The principal investigator, Pedro Arnau, points out that the technology has patent coverage in Europe, the United States, and India, addressing regions with water scarcity and remote communities that could benefit from available residual heat sources. Arnau emphasizes that the system offers meaningful advantages by reclaiming heat that would otherwise be wasted and by reducing environmental impact through lower energy consumption.
The project positions itself as a pivotal element in the ongoing decarbonization effort. By enabling hydrogen production from water with minimal electrical input, it presents a pathway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while supplying essential freshwater resources. The researchers describe the project as a chance to leverage environmental opportunities to produce much-needed water for communities and operations that lack reliable water or power infrastructure.
Support for the project comes from government and research bodies, recognizing the value of infrastructure and knowledge collaboration across Europe and the Americas. Plocán has played a central role in demonstrating and testing the technology, underscoring the milestone achieved in implementing a practical and scalable desalination solution.
When describing the program, the COOSW team highlights flow strategies and logistical planning that align with regional water and energy needs. The initiative showcases how off-the-shelf maritime containment solutions can be adapted for ground testing and eventual deployment, broadening the scope for future water security projects in coastal regions.
Environment and research stakeholders continue to refine the approach, with ongoing assessments of industrial waste heat utilization and water quality outcomes. The aim remains clear: deliver high-purity water while enabling energy-efficient processes that support sustainable hydrogen production and resilient water supply for vulnerable communities.