IBM announces water desalination project

ARMONK, N.Y., April 5 (UPI) -- IBM says it's joining with a Saudi Arabian organization to create a water desalination plant powered by solar energy to greatly reduce water and energy costs.

The Armonk, N.Y., company and the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology -- Saudi Arabia's national research and development organization -- said the desalination plant will be capable of producing 30,000 cubic meters of water per day and will be built in Al Khafji, Saudi Arabia, to serve 100,000 people.

Officials said the plant will be powered by ultra-high concentrator photovoltaic technology being jointly developed by IBM and Saudi Arabia that will be capable of operating at a concentration greater than 1,500 suns, officials said.

The process will also involve another IBM-Saudi Arabian jointly developed technology -- a nanomembrane that filters salts and potentially harmful toxins while using less energy than other forms of water purification.

"Using these new technologies, we will create energy-efficient systems we believe can be implemented across Saudi Arabia and around the world," said Sharon Nunes, vice president of IBM Big Green Innovations.