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Final Project

Future Ideas

Solar and wind energy-supported water desalination

The solar and wind energy-supported water desalination

Brief Introduction

Project Idea - a solar and wind energy-supported water desalination project

As a physicist, I aim to utilize naturally generated energy for seawater desalination, providing a sustainable water resource for agricultural purposes. This form of energy generation, known as Green Energy, plays a crucial role in the global economy.

Year by year, advancements in technology are driving down the cost of green energy production, making it increasingly competitive compared to energy derived from other sources.

Kazakhstan is a vast country, covering 2,724,902 km², and is divided into diverse geographical zones, including mountains, forests, lakes, rivers, deserts, and areas with varying seasonal precipitation. While some regions receive abundant rainfall, others experience dry conditions with limited water resources.

I was born in southeastern Kazakhstan, a region characterized by majestic mountains, lush green landscapes, dense forests, and abundant rivers, with significant snowfall and rainfall. However, for the past three years, I have been living in the western part of the country, where the landscape is predominantly desert, with no mountains, hot and dry weather, and minimal rainfall—despite being located along the Caspian Sea.

Providing clean water in this region is a major challenge, as it relies heavily on desalination plants. With a growing population and expanding economy, the demand for water continues to rise, making access to affordable water desalination technologies increasingly critical.

To address this issue, I propose a solar and wind energy-supported water desalination project that leverages renewable energy sources to ensure sustainable and cost-effective freshwater production.

Project Description

The Solar and Wind Energy-Supported Water Desalination Project is designed as a sustainable and self-sufficient system that integrates renewable energy sources to produce fresh water and support agricultural activities. The project is divided into four key components, each of which serves a specific function and can be developed independently before being integrated into a unified system:

  • Solar Sun Tracking System
  • Vertical Axis Wind Turbines
  • Solar Desalination
  • Vertical Hydropics Greenhouse

Solar Sun Tracking System

A solar tracking system automatically adjusts the angle of the solar panel to follow the sun throughout the day, optimizing energy absorption. Types of Tracking Systems:

  • Single-axis tracking: The panels move either east to west or up and down to adjust to the sun’s position.
  • Dual-axis tracking: These systems adjust in two directions (horizontal and vertical) for maximum efficiency.

The first set of images illustrates the Solar Sun Tracking System, a mechanism designed to maximize the efficiency of solar panels by adjusting their angle to follow the sun’s movement throughout the day. Unlike traditional fixed solar panels that remain in one position, this system ensures that the panels always face the sun at the optimal angle, significantly increasing energy absorption. Some of the images likely show diagrams or CAD models explaining the mechanics of both single-axis and dual-axis tracking systems. A single-axis tracker moves the panels from east to west, while a dual-axis tracker adjusts both the tilt and orientation, ensuring even greater efficiency gains—sometimes 20-40% higher than fixed panels. Additional images may show a comparison between energy output with and without tracking, helping to highlight the technology’s benefits.

Another key feature of the system is its integration with storage batteries, allowing excess energy generated during peak sunlight hours to be stored for later use, such as during cloudy days or nighttime. If there are real-world implementation images, they might depict a small-scale prototype or an actual setup in a solar farm. This system plays a crucial role in the overall project, ensuring that solar desalination and hydroponic farming receive a stable and reliable power supply.

Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

Why Use VAWTs?

  • Unlike traditional wind turbines that must be pointed into the wind, VAWTs can capture wind energy from any direction.
  • They work well in low-wind-speed areas, making them suitable for small-scale energy generation.
  • Their compact design allows them to be installed in urban and remote locations.

The next set of images focuses on Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs), an alternative to traditional wind turbines that is particularly useful in areas with unpredictable wind patterns. Unlike Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs), which require precise wind direction alignment, VAWTs can capture wind energy from any direction. The images may depict different types of VAWT designs, including straight-blade models (Savonius and Darrieus turbines) or helical-blade models, which are more efficient at converting wind into rotational energy.

Some images might include wind flow simulations, showing how air moves around the turbine blades to generate electricity. Others may compare the power output of VAWTs versus traditional wind turbines in different wind conditions. VAWTs are particularly advantageous for urban and off-grid environments due to their compact design and lower noise levels compared to large horizontal turbines. They also complement the solar energy system by providing power during nighttime or cloudy weather, ensuring that the desalination process and hydroponics system can operate consistently. If there are photos of a real-world installation, they might show a small-scale VAWT positioned alongside solar panels.

Solar Desalination

How solar-powered desalination process Works:

  • Sunlight heats seawater, causing it to evaporate.
  • The water vapor condenses into fresh water, leaving salt and other impurities behind.
  • The purified water is collected for drinking, agriculture, or other uses.

These images explain the Solar Desalination System, which is central to converting seawater into fresh, drinkable water using solar energy. The first set of images might show schematic diagrams illustrating how the process works. One commonly used technique is solar stills, which replicate the natural water cycle—sunlight heats seawater, causing it to evaporate, and the vapor then condenses into fresh water, leaving behind salt and other impurities. This method is highly energy-efficient and does not require complex mechanical components, making it a viable solution for remote or arid regions.

Another desalination approach that might be illustrated is solar-powered reverse osmosis or multi-effect distillation (MED). These processes involve using solar-generated electricity to force water through specialized membranes that remove salt and other contaminants. Some images may depict a working prototype of the solar desalination system, possibly showing solar panels connected to a desalination unit. Others might include graphs comparing traditional desalination methods with solar-powered alternatives, highlighting the environmental and economic benefits of using renewable energy instead of fossil-fuel-powered desalination plants.

Overall, these images emphasize the importance of solar desalination in providing sustainable fresh water for drinking, irrigation, and hydroponic farming.

Vertical Hydropics Greenhouse

Why Hydroponics?

  • Uses up to 90% less water than traditional farming.
  • Produces higher crop yields in smaller spaces.
  • Reduces reliance on pesticides and fertilizers.

Vertical Greenhouse Features:

  • Multiple stacked layers of plants, maximizing space efficiency.
  • Automated nutrient delivery system – water mixed with nutrients is circulated through the system.
  • Climate-controlled environment – optimizing temperature, humidity, and light.

The final set of images focuses on the Vertical Hydroponics Greenhouse, which is designed to use the desalinated water efficiently for agricultural production. Traditional farming in arid regions is difficult due to limited water availability, but hydroponics eliminates this challenge by growing plants without soil, using nutrient-rich water instead. The images likely include a blueprint or architectural sketch of the greenhouse, showing vertically stacked layers of crops, which maximize space usage.

Some images may depict a functional hydroponics system, including:

Drip irrigation systems that deliver nutrients directly to plant roots. Controlled environment setups, where temperature, humidity, and lighting are optimized. Different hydroponic techniques, such as NFT (Nutrient Film Technique), aeroponics, or deep water culture systems. One of the key advantages of a vertical hydroponics system is that it uses up to 90% less water compared to conventional farming, making it ideal for regions suffering from water scarcity. The desalinated water produced in the previous step feeds directly into the greenhouse system, creating a fully self-sustaining water and food production cycle. Some of the images may show test results or comparisons of plant growth rates using desalinated water versus untreated water sources.

This integration of desalination and hydroponic farming ensures year-round food production, helping to improve food security while reducing reliance on traditional agricultural methods that consume excessive amounts of water.

How All Components Work Together

Each of the four components showcased in these images plays a vital role in creating a sustainable system that can be implemented in regions facing water shortages and food insecurity.

  • The Solar Sun Tracking System ensures maximum solar energy efficiency, powering the entire system.
  • Vertical Axis Wind Turbines supplement solar energy, ensuring 24/7 operation.
  • Solar Desalination provides fresh water for drinking and agricultural purposes, reducing dependence on non-renewable water sources.
  • The Vertical Hydroponics Greenhouse utilizes desalinated water to grow food sustainably, optimizing resource use.

Together, these components form a fully renewable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution that can be adapted to different regions and needs. The images on the webpage provide visual proof of the feasibility and practical application of each technology, making it clear how this project can be scaled up for larger implementations in desert or coastal areas where water access is limited.

Solar Energy Powered Electric Boat

Project Idea - a Wind and Solar Energy Powered Electric Boat for Caspain Sea Research

Brief Introduction

This project envisions the development of an autonomous twin-hull marine drone—a self-navigating, electric-powered vessel featuring a catamaran-style structure optimized for stability, energy efficiency, and modular functionality. Powered by an integrated system of wind turbines and solar panels, the drone is designed to undertake long-duration missions to monitor ocean health and remove plastic and other surface pollutants. The twin-hull configuration provides an ideal platform for integrating smart environmental sensors, vacuum-based collection modules, and real-time data systems, ensuring efficient operation in both coastal and open-sea conditions. The overarching goal is to deliver a scalable and sustainable solution for combating marine pollution while supporting advanced oceanographic research and ecosystem protection.

The design and concept of this project have been shaped through close analysis of several pioneering marine innovation initiatives:

  • Bluebird Marine Systems has conducted extensive research into wind-powered ships and marine renewable energy. Their concepts inspired the integration of vertical-axis wind turbines into autonomous marine vessels for sustainable propulsion and power generation. - Bluebird Marine Systems

  • The solar-powered vacuum concept presented by Ecowatch demonstrated the feasibility of autonomous, renewable-energy-driven systems capable of removing significant quantities of plastic from the oceans. This concept directly influenced the proposed plastic collection module. - The solar-powered vacuum concept

  • The “Thomas the Marine Engine” initiative, featured by New Scientist, showed how compact and efficient propulsion systems can be used for exploring sensitive marine environments, helping guide the propulsion design for our drone. - Thomas the Marine Engine

  • The SeaVax and Seabin projects illustrated practical applications of autonomous waste collection using vacuum pumps and cyclonic separation. These projects validated the idea of deploying such technologies in dynamic marine environments. - The SeaVax and Seabin projects

  • offered scalable and modular concepts for marine cleanup vessels, aligned with sustainable development goals. Their design logic and use-case flexibility were critical in shaping our drone’s modular system. - MultiVax and RiverVax

  • The SeaVax Model Development page by Bluebird Electric provided highly detailed information on solar-powered robotic vacuum systems and cyclonic filtration technologies for marine plastic cleanup. These insights guided the engineering integration of our vacuum system. - The SeaVax Model Development

  • The evolution of Marine Advanced Research Inc. into Marine Advanced Robotics Inc. highlighted the transition from concept to commercialization of advanced marine vehicles, reinforcing the long-term scalability and market potential of our system. - Marine Advanced Robotics Inc

Building on the innovations and lessons learned from these trailblazing efforts, this project introduces an Autonomous Twin-Hull Marine Drone fully powered by wind and solar energy. It is engineered for continuous environmental monitoring, plastic debris collection, and oil-spill detection, with a specific focus on the Caspian Sea. By combining renewable energy autonomy with smart sensing and robotics, this marine drone offers a forward-looking, cost-effective platform for tackling marine pollution. Unlike conventional research vessels or static cleanup devices, it is designed for long-range deployment, minimal human intervention, and adaptability across diverse aquatic environments. The project aspires to make a significant contribution to the restoration and protection of the Caspian Sea while advancing the global discourse on sustainable maritime innovation.

Key features include:

  • Wind turbines and solar panels for hybrid power generation, ensuring 24/7 off-grid operation

  • Plastic and oil-spill detection sensors for monitoring marine health in real time

  • Autonomous navigation for adaptive routing and minimal human intervention

Designing challenges to create the Boat’s surface part that can hold two solar panels

  • Designing challenges to create the Boat’s bottom part that can hold two motors

Final Project

Weather and Water Data Station

The Final Project idea is to create the Weather & Water Data Station, which is an ESP8266-based IoT node that continuously measures ambient temperature and humidity (DHT22), plus key water metrics such as temperature (DS18B20) and optional turbidity/pH modules. Readings will be shown in real time on a compact I²C OLED display and served over a local Wi-Fi web page for live monitoring.

It is designed to ride aboard my solar- and wind-powered boat researching Caspian Sea, sipping energy from the vessel’s renewable system (PV + micro-turbine → MPPT → 12 V battery → high-efficiency 5 V/3.3 V buck).

Before mounting on the boat, it will be tested on static position by adding neccesary sensors, so it the project will be designed so that web page connected over wifi.

An ESP8266-based the Weather & Water Data Station will perform the following functions:

  • reads temperature & humidity from a DHT sensor and shows them on a 0.96” I²C OLED,

  • uploads measurements daily to ThingSpeak (cloud),

  • streams live readings on a local Wi-Fi web page (and optionally via MQTT),

  • logs data to Excel (either directly to a sheet or by syncing from ThingSpeak/CSV).

Bill of Materials

Bill of Materials (BOM)

  • MCU & compute

  • 1× ESP8266 module

Sensors

  • 1× DHT22 (recommended for accuracy and range) or DHT11 (budget).

  • 1× Optional DS18B20 (waterproof probe) for outdoor/remote temp (1-Wire).

Display

  • 1× 0.96” OLED 128×64, I²C (SSD1306).

Power

  • 1× Micro-USB or USB-C connector (power only)

  • 1× Buck (5→3.3 V) DC-DC module (e.g., MP1584EN) or 1× LDO 3.3 V (e.g., AMS1117-3.3; use if input ≤5 V and current headroom)

  • 1× Reverse-polarity protection (series Schottky diode or ideal-diode controller)

  • 1× TVS diode (5 V line) for ESD

  • 1× PTC resettable fuse (e.g., 500–750 mA) on 5 V input

  • Bulk caps: 1× 100 µF (5 V), 1× 22–47 µF (3.3 V)

  • Decoupling: 0.1 µF at each VCC pin (ESP-12F, OLED, sensors), 1 µF near regulator

Programming & debug

  • 1× USB-UART: CH340C/CP2102 (integrated on-board)

  • 1× Auto-program circuit (DTR/RTS to EN/GPIO0 via 0.1 µF caps & resistors)

  • 1× 6-pin header pads: GND, 3V3, TX, RX, GPIO0, EN (test/program)

Connectors

  • 1× 3-pin JST-XH for DHT (3V3, Data, GND)

  • 1× 4-pin JST-XH for I²C expansion (3V3, GND, SDA, SCL)

  • 1× Header for DS18B20 (3V3, Data, GND)

  • Mounting holes ×4 (M3), standoffs

Project Development Stages

  • Computer-aided design

  • Computer-controlled cutting

  • Embedded programming

  • 3D scanning and printing

  • Electronics design

  • Computer-controlled machining

  • Electronics production

  • Input devices

  • Output devices

  • Networking and communications

  • Mechanical design

  • Machine design

  • Molding and casting

  • Interface and application programming

  • System integration