Desalination

Analysts forecast the Global Water Desalination market to grow at a CAGR of 9.51 percent over the period 2012-2016. One of the key factors contributing to this market growth is the need for safe water. The Global Water Desalination market has also been witnessing increased governmental initiatives in the Water industry. However, the possibility of water desalination putting the ocean ecosystem at risk could pose a challenge to the growth of this market.

A defense contractor better known for building jet fighters and lethal missiles says it has found a way to slash the amount of energy needed to remove salt from seawater, potentially making it vastly cheaper to produce clean water at a time when scarcity has become a global security issue.

It's not exactly a solar panel. It's more like a solar dish. And not only does it generate electricity, it makes water, too.

Researchers at companies and universities in Switzerland are developing a parabolic solar energy-capturing dish that they hope will be cheaper than current panels and be able to use some of the heat it captures, too: The heat goes into a desalination system that turns salt water into potable water.