What is Micro WatTS?
Micro Watts, a 2.5 million Euro project co-financed by INTERREG V. A. Italia-Malta shall develop a micro greywater solar water treatment system, a step in the right direction when it comes to tackling the problem of water shortage that islands such as Malta and Sicily face.
The project’s forte is the complementary nature of the partners. Whereas the University of Malta and Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) Catania have expertise in surface engineering technology, characterisation and photocatalytic surfaces respectively, MCAST and the University of Catania have well equipped biological labs and expertise, in water testing. Econetique and Plastica Alfa, the 2 partner SMEs, have experience in renewable energy technologies, microsystems, and development of innovative polymeric products for water management and are thus most suited to assist with the implementation of the project.
The first step is the identification of a number of polymers and surfaces with photocatalytic potential. Test samples shall be produced, characterised and their photocatalytic effectiveness tested periodically in order to assess their decontamination capability. The best performing materials shall be installed in pilot solar absorbers designed by the 2 SME partners and field tested for 6 months by carrying out bacteriological tests on the treated water. Simultaneously the 2 SMEs shall design and build 2 standalone micro solar water treatment systems suitable to be deployed in a typical domestic residence or small-scale industrial concerns.
Short term distinctive aspects of the project include:
• Cross-border collaboration at a high level of research leading to the development of innovative eco-products / service.
• Transfer of technology to SMEs
• Cross-border mobility of workers and researchers
• Adoption by SEMs of the innovative technology developed
• Financial and non-financial assistance to SMEs
In the long term the project is expected to:
• Generate green jobs
• Have an impact on the carbon and water footprint &
• Lead to a better use of natural resources