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Multi-stage power-to-water battery synergizes flexible energy storage and efficient atmospheric water harvesting

Author

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  • Haosheng Lin

    (City University of Hong Kong, School of Energy and Environment
    City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute)

  • Yan Song

    (Nanjing University, School of Sustainable Energy and Resources
    Nanjing University, Frontiers Science Center for Critical Earth Material Cycling)

  • Zhixiong Ding

    (City University of Hong Kong, School of Energy and Environment)

  • Yunren Sui

    (City University of Hong Kong, School of Energy and Environment)

  • Zengguang Sui

    (City University of Hong Kong, School of Energy and Environment)

  • Fuxiang Li

    (City University of Hong Kong, School of Energy and Environment)

  • Jia Zhu

    (Nanjing University, School of Sustainable Energy and Resources
    Nanjing University, Frontiers Science Center for Critical Earth Material Cycling
    Nanjing University, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures
    Nanjing University, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences)

  • Wei Wu

    (City University of Hong Kong, School of Energy and Environment
    City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute)

Abstract

We propose and demonstrate a multi-stage power-to-water (MSP2W) battery that synergizes flexible energy storage and atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) to address renewable energy intermittency and freshwater scarcity simultaneously. This system integrates high-temperature magnesium oxide-based thermal energy storage (TES) with a modular multi-stage AWH device, using a Reline-based ternary solution to enhance sorption kinetics and enable efficient scalability. The multi-stage AWH configuration, with up to three stages, enhances water production by 51%, reducing energy consumption by 26%, consistent with theoretical analysis. The MSP2W prototype achieves daily water production of 3060 g, fully meeting an adult’s demand. The specific energy consumption is as low as 1.13 kWh kg-‍1, outperforming existing active AWH systems. The niche area of MSP2W is identified, even competing with desalination costs (

Suggested Citation

  • Haosheng Lin & Yan Song & Zhixiong Ding & Yunren Sui & Zengguang Sui & Fuxiang Li & Jia Zhu & Wei Wu, 2025. "Multi-stage power-to-water battery synergizes flexible energy storage and efficient atmospheric water harvesting," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-66053-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-66053-8
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