U.S.A. – The US Department of Energy (DOE) is investing nearly $10 million in seven projects that aim to accelerate the development and testing of marine energy technologies. These projects are part of DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office’s Powering the Blue Economy Initiative, which focuses on advancing solutions for low-cost, emission-free, and drought-resistant drinking water. Among the supported projects are ones focused on wave-powered desalination systems, including those led by Oneka Technologies, Sea Potential, Water Bros Desalination, and North Carolina State University. (Offshore Energy)

U.S.A. – Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have received two funding awards as part of the $9 million National Alliance for Water Innovation (NAWI) Pilot Program. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office. The awards will support efforts to enhance the energy efficiency of desalination and water reuse technologies in the U.S. NREL will work on the Low Salinity Inland Desalination Brine Treatment Using Scalable Next Generation Bipolar Membranes project, which focuses on developing a next-generation membrane to improve desalinated water quality while recovering substances for other uses. The second project, Optimizing Electric and Water Grid Coordination Under Technical, Operational, and Environmental Considerations, aims to examine strategies for managing and coordinating water system operations with the electric grid to ensure compatibility with renewable energy sources. (NREL)

U.S.A. – The Clean Energy Alliance Board of Directors approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that could bring the Carlsbad Desalination Plant, the largest consumer of electricity in Carlsbad, under the alliance's services. The MOU would make the Clean Energy Alliance the electricity provider for the San Diego County Water Authority and Channelside, the owner of the desalination plant. The agreement is pending final approval later this year. The move aims to increase the use of renewable energy for the desalination plant and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with its energy consumption. The Carlsbad Desalination Plant is the largest in the United States, capable of producing 189,270 m³/d. (Del Mar Times)

URUGUAY – Uruguayan authorities have confirmed the arrival of a desalination plant in Montevideo to address the water crisis in the country. The plant was purchased from the United States by the water-supplying company Obras Sanitarias de Estado (OSE) and the Technological University of Uruguay (Utec). Originally expected to be delivered in four weeks from Houston, it took over two months as the plant did not fit in the airplane that was initially planned for transportation, necessitating shipping. The transaction was arranged for a price of $120,000 through the Hydro Application Consulting Group. The desalination plant will initially be used by OSE for two years before being transferred to Utec, producing approximately 200 m³/d of demineralized water. (MercoPress)

_{SA Water’s new small scale desalination facility in the town of Oodnadatta, Australia. Credit: SA Water}

AUSTRALIA – Following the construction of a new desalination plant by SA Water, residents of the remote South Australian town of Oodnadatta can now access safe drinking water from their taps. The small-scale desalination plant, capable of producing up to 210 m³/d, was assembled in Adelaide and transported over 1000 kilometers for installation. The plant sources water from the Great Artesian Basin and uses reverse osmosis to treat and remove impurities. Previously, Oodnadatta residents relied on non-drinking water supplies, such as rainwater tanks and local desalination units. SA Water is also working on desalination facilities for Marla and Marree. (Utility Magazine)

INDIA – The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has inaugurated a Centre of Excellence on membrane technologies for desalination, brine management, and water recycling. The center, which includes an advanced instrumentation facility and a dedicated website, aims to develop strategies and technologies for desalination and sustainable treatment and reuse of water. It will engage researchers and innovators globally and facilitate incubation and commercialization of developed technologies. The initiative involves collaboration with five IITs, various industries, NGOs, and other stakeholders to address desalination challenges. (Careers360)