Hoshinoya Taketomi-jima installs self-sufficient seawater desalination system, reducing plastic bottle waste
A hotel employee explaining the seawater desalination system installed at Hoshinoya Taketomi-jima in Taketomi Island, on Mar 11.
March 13, 2021 Ryukyu Shimpo
Under the management of General Manager Kaoru Honda, the resort hotel Hoshinoya Taketomi-jima in Taketomi-Cho, Taketomi Island, recently started supplying its drinking water by desalinating seawater. The hotel hopes to reduce plastic bottle waste, which has become a problem on the island due to drifting garbage and littering. With the introduction of the independent water supply, the hotel will no longer provide bottled mineral water in guest rooms. This will reduce about 50,000 plastic bottles per year.
In Taketomi Island, water for domestic use is supplied from Ishigaki Island, and water resources are limited. The seawater desalination system was introduced to avoid an increase in water directed to the hotel, given the move towards eliminating plastic bottles. The desalination system is the first of its kind for Hoshinoya group hotels nationwide.
The seawater desalination system, comprising a solar panel with a battery and a heat pump, is capable of desalting up to 60 tons of water per day. It can produce water, hot water, and electricity even in a natural disaster. On Feb 26, Hoshinoya Taketomi-jima became the first private facility to be designated an evacuation center in Taketomi.
The energy generated during the desalination process is utilized for water-temperature control and air conditioning, which may reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 35 tons per year.
Jun Adachi, who has been working on the desalination project, said, “We hope this will be a step toward energy self-sufficiency on this remote island. It will also provide a safe place for residents to evacuate to in an emergency. I hope we can give back to the community.”
(English translation by T&CT and Monica Shingaki)
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