The European project Sol2H2O, funded by the Horizon Europe program, has installed in Évora a pioneering experimental pilot that combines desalination and brine valorization technologies. This initiative strengthens national research in this field through collaboration with leading European institutions and forms part of a broader strategy for scientific and technological capacity building.
The pilot infrastructure, located at the INIESC – National Research Infrastructure in Concentrated Solar Energy at the University of Évora, was designed to demonstrate sustainable solutions for water production and the valorization of alternative water resources, bridging the gap between scientific research and real societal needs. The implemented system allows testing and operation of different technologies for producing water from seawater—such as reverse osmosis—for the treatment of concentrated brines, including membrane distillation, and for the selective recovery of salts through a chemical precipitation reactor.
The integration of these processes enables progress toward the Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) concept, which maximizes water recovery and transforms high-salinity effluents into new resources. The installation is equipped with sensors and data collection systems that allow for the simulation of different operational scenarios, optimizing both performance and efficiency.
The choice of Évora for this infrastructure is linked to the presence of SOL4R – Applied Research in Solar Energy for the Energy Transition, a research unit dedicated to developing solar energy solutions for the energy transition, with the Water-Energy Nexus as a strategic area. The region’s high solar radiation and semi-arid climate make it an ideal location for developing solutions applicable to real-world contexts of water scarcity and abundant solar resources.
The new pilot brings direct benefits to Évora and SOL4R, by strengthening scientific and technical capacity in crucial areas such as water and energy, attracting national and international collaborations, training students and researchers in innovative technologies, and promoting activities with the community and industry.
Sol2H2O aims to demonstrate that it is possible to recover water and value-added salts from brines following the ZLD concept, and to develop viable solar-powered solutions for wastewater treatment. In this context, Évora has already hosted visiting teams from the University of Palermo, the Technological Institute of the Canary Islands, and the Plataforma Solar de Almería (part of CIEMAT), who actively participated in various stages of equipment commissioning and testing.
This represents an important step toward transforming research into practical solutions, contributing to sustainable water resource management and reinforcing the principles of the circular economy, bringing science closer to the concrete needs of society.
In addition to this pilot, the project also includes the development of a solar photocatalyst, designed to enhance photocatalytic processes for pollutant degradation in wastewater. This work aims to increase the efficiency and durability of photocatalytic materials, harnessing direct solar radiation as a clean energy source. The development of this component represents a significant advance in the pursuit of sustainable water treatment solutions, complementing the integrated approach of the Sol2H2O project.
