Futuristic Water Tech: From Rain Energy to Atmospheric Water
As India faces intensifying water scarcity due to climate change, researchers and innovators are exploring futuristic solutions beyond traditional groundwater and surface water sources.
On World Water Day, experts spotlight breakthroughs like atmospheric water generation (AWG) and rain energy harvesting. One of the notable efforts comes from Akvo Atmospheric Water Systems Pvt. Ltd., led by CEO Navkaran Singh Bagga. The company recently launched its Water-on-Want (WoW) initiative for corporates in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. The program operates on a zero-CAPEX, OPEX-based BOOT model, providing clean drinking water via AWGs with a minimum daily offtake of 500 litres.
“WoW removes financial barriers to sustainable water. We install, own, and operate the systems—clients only pay per litre used,” said Mr. Bagga.
Meanwhile, researchers like Dr. Visakh Vaikuntanathan at Shiv Nadar University are studying ways to harness rain energy, developing dual-use solar-rain cells that generate power from both sunlight and rainfall.
With climate change threatening Himalayan glaciers that feed India’s rivers, experts like Dr. Dipankar Saha warn that urgent tech-driven interventions are critical. Companies like Suhora are using satellite intelligence to monitor glacial changes and prevent disasters.
A 2018 NITI Aayog report projected that by 2030, India’s water demand may double its supply—making such innovations more vital than ever.