Data-driven Strategies for Sustainable Deployment of Solar Pumps

Solar pumps present an opportunity to extend access to irrigation in Asia. The presentation highlighted The Council's multi-pronged research on identifying gaps and solutions to facilitate solar-powered irrigation in a sustainable manner. This ranges from end-users' outlook about solar pumps, financier's risk perceptions and challenges in financing the technology, determinants of sustainability, and a decision support tool to identify locally-suitable deployment strategies for solar pumps.​

Achieving Energy, Water and Food Sustainability through Agricultural Demand Side Management

Water, energy and food security are three vital sleaze factors that decide the existence and development of a nation. A recent study done in Karnataka, the second-largest arid region in India, revealed that Agricultural Demand Side Management (Ag-DSM) along with the promotion of best irrigation practices with strong policy support can save both electricity and water, creating better food security and a stronger future.

Using Irrigation Canals to Electrify Remote Villages

The proprietary Helios microgrid has been demonstrated in Northern Mindanao, Philippines. HeliosAltas Corporation demonstrated how a combination of micro-hydro using a local irrigation canal, PV, storage and Pico grid devices can effectively and economically and cleanly electrify an off-grid community in just a few days. For this proof of concept project, two 500-watt Powerballs micro-hydro units, 650 Watts of PV and 300 AH of AGM batteries were installed to power 10 huts in the village of Kibanban.

Water Ownership in the Age of Changing Climate Patterns

Water, electricity, and food are significant vulnerabilities worsened by climate change. Providing for survival now requires independent ownership over these vital resources. Moving beyond infrastructure-centric solutions that worsen existing water extraction rates is thus critical. Zero Mass Water’s SOURCE Hydropanels use only sunlight and air to make drinking water and therefore represent the resource access needs of the 4th Industrial Revolution amidst the uncertainty of climate change and increasing population pressures.

Designing Water and Used Water Schemes to Generate Energy and Minimize Energy Use

Water/Used Water Utilities are significant power users but also have the opportunity to generate their own power and design facilities which are more efficient. This presentation discussed a number of examples taken from projects around the world, including the Philippines and UK where renewable technologies have been made integral elements of capital investment programs. These examples include a hydro-turbine on a used water treatment plant, hydro-turbine on large scale water transmission lines, solar power at a water treatment site and wind turbines within treatment plants.

Olatunji Yusuf

Olatunji is a Senior Climate Change Specialist within the Global Practices Directorate of the Islamic Development Bank. He is responsible for mainstreaming climate change in the Bank’s funded operations and portfolio and helping member countries attain low carbon and climate resilient development pathways as well as transition to the green economy.

Nicola Armacost

Nicola Armacost is the Managing Director of Arc Finance whose mission is to link the fields of finance, energy, water, and sanitation. Arc’s financial institution partners have provided access to clean energy for over 4.5 million people in a range of countries including Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Nicaragua, and Haiti. Arc’s partners offer financing for distributed solar, roof-top solar, e-vehicles and a range of other uses as well as micro and mini-grids.