H2020 MASLOWATEN Project: Market adoption of an innovative irrigation solution based on low water and energy consumption

The overall objective of MASLOWATEN is divided into three main objectives:

Objective 1: Demonstrate the technical and economic viability of large-scale, efficient, and intermittent photovoltaic pumping systems for irrigation that allow for 100% renewable energy consumption.

The five first-ever large-scale commercial application systems installed in Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Morocco, covering all potential irrigator needs, have been monitored for three years to determine their performance under real-life operating conditions.

The results are as follows:

• Technical validation - energy aspects: includes the use of photovoltaic electricity for pumping: 100% in the Villena, Alaejos, and Uri units, and between 79% and 81% in the Alter do Chao and Tamellalt hybrid systems.
• Economic Validation: Results showed electricity cost savings of 61% to 79%, and internal rates of return between 11% and 16%.

Life cycle analysis: The energy payback period ranges from 1.9 to 5.2 years, and the carbon footprint payback period ranges from 1.8 to 9.3 years. The useful life of the first commercially available units is 25 years.

Objective 2: Reduce water consumption through automation, ICT, and precision agriculture-based solutions.

Two validation tests have been carried out to evaluate the reduction in water consumption according to two different strategies:

1. Reducing irrigation water by increasing crop yield.
2. Reducing irrigation water use through precision agriculture.

The first strategy results in a 34% reduction in water consumption, while the second results in a 24.8% reduction.

Objective 3: Market acceptance and replication of a new green product in TRL9 consisting of photovoltaic pumping systems that consume 100% renewable electricity and 30% less water.

The work carried out to achieve this objective has focused on three different lines of work:

Development of technical tools for the bankability of photovoltaic irrigation systems:

Ad-hoc technical specifications and quality control procedures were produced, ready for inclusion in contracts and tenders. The final document can be downloaded from www.maslowaten.eu in three different languages: English, Spanish, and Portuguese. A total of 570 downloads were made.
We have also developed a freely accessible simulation tool capable of designing and simulating photovoltaic irrigation systems. The tool is available at www.sisifo.info and includes several innovative features, such as the automatic download of frequency converter and motor pump characteristic curves and a new pump selection method for photovoltaic irrigation systems.
In 2018 alone, 9,836 photovoltaic irrigation system simulations were conducted at 1,121 different locations, with 5,731 different visitors from 154 different countries.

Development of economic tools for the bankability of photovoltaic irrigation systems:
We have developed four cost-effective tools to facilitate the bankability and market acceptance of photovoltaic irrigation systems:

• Market assessment and business plan: A potential market of 8 GWp and €12 billion has been assessed. The business plan is targeted at SMEs interested in installing photovoltaic irrigation systems, showing an IRR of 17%.
• Financing schemes: A set of financing schemes have been proposed, and MASLOWATEN also collaborated with another H2020 project (RESFARM) to propose a PPA contract model. This financing proposal was identified as a business opportunity presented at the Investor Cafe organized by the EC and was awarded first prize by the investors present at the event.
• Regulatory and policy recommendations: A set of recommendations regarding the use of photovoltaic electricity and water use was proposed.

Dissemination and transfer of technology to at least 20 SMEs:

• We have developed a communications strategy based on reaching end users and SMEs interested in leveraging our solutions. As a result, we have reached 364,069 potential end users through online outreach.
• We have organized five seminars and 15 technical visits to the top five application units on the market, with a total of 1,861 participants. We have participated in 32 different conferences and seminars with a total audience exceeding 10,000. We have also organized five international seminars to open international markets in Bulgaria, Ghana, South Africa, and Chile with 252 participants, and we have participated in exhibitions with a potential impact of over 700,000 visitors.
• In addition, three patents have been filed, and 20 publications have already been published in international journals and in the proceedings of international scientific conferences. A video and three presentations have been produced to raise public awareness about the high environmental and social value of energy and water.
• Ultimately, more than 100 SMEs requested technology transfer, 27 SMEs received training in MASLOWATEN technology through four technical workshops, and the three patents were licensed to 22 SMEs.