“Provide clean water and power anywhere the sun shines…Even when it isn’t”

What is the HYDRA?The HYDRA is a solar and hydrogen-powered

mobile water purification system. It was developed by a privately owned company named, The Essential Element. Their main goal is to supply impoverished places with

purified water and electricity after a natural disaster or where clean water is simply not

available.

Mission Statement

“Clean water is the basis of health and

economic stability. In today’s world, clean, renewable power to

produce it along with clean power for

communities, school, clinics, businesses is the new standard.

Our vision, technology and

experience will make clean water and power a reality

today.”

Why is the HYDRA important?

The HYDRA is an important innovation because it provides drinkable water,

electricity, and medical grade oxygen. This helps end the thirst of the displaced after a

natural disaster, provide electricity for schools, clinics, businesses, communication systems, and give medical professionals the

oxygen they need to assist in the injured.

How does the HYDRA work?Energy from the sun is

captured by the solar panels which is then used to power the

water pump. The dirty water gets pushed through the self- cleaning filtration

system . In a day, the HYDRA can produce

87,000 liters of purified water

(20,000+ gallons).

The HYDRA also charges batteries;

lead-acid gel batteries run an electrolyzer

that uses some of the water to fill a .37

cubic meter tank with pressurized hydrogen.

A fuel cell is then stored with this

hydrogen to generate energy for other

electronic necessities.

Left: solar panelsright: hydrogen storage tank

the stored hydrogen is used to power the HYDRA after dark, it continues to produce water with or without sunlight.

Benefits: What’s so great about it?According to The Essential Element:

the HYDRA is “first of its kind anywhere on the planet”

Clean, drinkable waterElectricity for electronic and cooking

appliancesMedical-grade oxygen

Benefits continued…Self-fueled and

poweredMOBILE!!! Can be flown, parachuted, or

shipped to needed location (adaptable, scalable, efficient)Stores portable water and excess

electricity great for disaster

relief

Previous ideas and setbacksOther purification systems have been too

expensive for the poor outcome Poor battery life and dirty waterHeavy and costly solar panels Used gasoline and diesel to operate; leads to

toxic fumes and water contaminationNEGATIVES FOR THE HYDRA…Price check… $95,000 for 1 HYDRA

FAD: Will the HYDRA be seen in the future?

Highly doubt the HYDRA will become a FAD due to its cost. Not everyone can go out and

duplicate or buy a HYDRA, it’s too expensive.It is a great way to help those in earthquakes or

hurricanes, maybe more countries and nations will invest in a HYDRA to keep its people stable.Anything that can create water from 100%

renewable resources such as solar and hydrogen power is genius.

Maybe one day aid homelessness in America?

Citations

The Essential Element. “Hydra Specifications.” Web. http://theessentialelement.com/specifications/specifications 11 Nov 2010.

Husain, Iqbal. Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Design Fundamentals Second . Edition. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2011.

Schwartz, Ariel. “HYDRA: A Solar and Hydrogen-powered Mobile Water Purification System” 20 May 2010. Inhabitat. 11 Nov 2010.

Citations continuedSingh, Timon. “Hydra is a Relief Vehicle” 22 Oct 2010.

Inhabitat. 11 Nov 2010.Images:http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/the-essential-element-s-hydra-

provides-purified-water-electricity-and-hydrogen

http://inhabitat.com/2010/10/22/hydra-is-a-relief-vehicle-water-purifier-and-power-plant-all-in-one/

http://inhabitat.com/2010/05/20/hydra-a-solar-and-hydrogen-powered-mobile-water-purification-system/

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg1TEm-YkS4