This massive pipe is a solar powered plant that generates 10,000 MWh of power each year to provide clean drinking water for the city of Santa Monica, California, using an electromagnetic desalination process.
This project was a finalist in the 2016 Land Art Generator Initiative design competition for Santa Monica Pier. Designed by the Canadian engineering firm Abdulaziz Khalili and Associates, “The Pipe” is an amazing blend of artistic, technological, and architectural properties.
As per Khalili Engineers, The Pipe could generate 10,000 MWh of electricity annually and would power an electromagnetic filtration system which is capable of pumping out 1.5 billion gallons of clean drinking water.
It is a big breakthrough as it will be a big help in solving California’s severe water shortage problems.
The concept behind this marvel: Electromagnetic desalination processes involve the usage of an isolated electromagnetic field on pipes circulating seawater, which results in separation of the salts and impurities. Pure drinking water produced is piped to shore, whereas the salt water is used for thermal baths before it is redirected back to the ocean through a smart release system.
The design team explained, “Above, solar panels provide power to pump seawater through an electromagnetic filtration process below the pool deck, quietly providing the salt bath with its healing water and the city with clean drinking water. The Pipe represents a change in the future of water.”
