Renewable Energy Water Treatment
Integrated Drinking Water and Panel Wash Water System | De Aar, Northern Cape, South Africa
PROJECT SUMMARY
Greenchain Group was appointed to design, manufacture and commission the water treatment package for the TotalEnergies Hydra Storage Project (TEHS) in De Aar, South Africa.
The bespoke treatment system was engineered to supply two critical water streams from borehole water: potable drinking water for personnel on site and softened process water for solar panel cleaning. Designed specifically for utility-scale renewable energy infrastructure, the system combines advanced treatment technologies with intelligent automation and remote monitoring to support efficient site operations and long-term asset performance.
The project was delivered as a complete engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) package, including design, manufacturing, installation, commissioning and ongoing operational support.
THE CHALLENGE
Large-scale solar energy facilities rely on dependable water infrastructure to support both operational activities and workforce requirements. In remote locations, borehole water often provides the only practical source of supply, but water quality and yield can vary considerably.
For the TotalEnergies Hydra Storage Project, the treatment solution needed to produce two independent water qualities from a single borehole source. Drinking water had to comply with potable water standards, while process water required effective softening to minimise mineral deposits during solar panel cleaning and protect long-term asset performance.
The system also needed to operate reliably in a remote environment with minimal operator intervention, while providing complete visibility of plant performance through intelligent monitoring and automated control.
THE SOLUTION
Greenchain Group developed a split-stream water treatment system tailored to the operational requirements of the site.
Raw borehole water undergoes primary treatment before being divided into two dedicated treatment trains. The first incorporates nanofiltration, automated pH correction, controlled chlorination and ultraviolet disinfection to produce safe drinking water for site personnel.
The second treatment train uses ion exchange softening technology to produce low-hardness wash water for solar panel cleaning, helping to reduce mineral scaling and improve cleaning effectiveness.
The fully automated treatment plant incorporates PLC-based process control, online monitoring and remote connectivity, allowing Greenchain Group’s Leaders to monitor system performance, identify operational trends and provide proactive support when required.
Key Outcomes
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Reliable production of drinking water from borehole water.
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Dedicated softened water supply for solar panel cleaning.
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Improved water quality supporting long-term solar panel performance.
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Fully automated operation with PLC control.
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Remote monitoring enabling proactive operational support.
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Turnkey EPC delivery from design through commissioning.
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Water treatment infrastructure designed for remote renewable energy operations.
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Ongoing technical support ensuring consistent system performance.
Technical Highlights
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Integrated split-stream water treatment plant.
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Nanofiltration drinking water system producing approximately 1,500 litres per hour.
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Ion exchange softening plant producing approximately 2,000 litres per hour.
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Pressure media filtration.
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Automated pH correction and chlorine dosing.
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UV disinfection providing secondary microbiological protection.
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PLC-controlled automation with online monitoring.
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Borehole integration, storage, reticulation and wastewater management.
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Complete engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning by Greenchain Group.
Business Impact
Reliable water infrastructure is essential to the successful operation of large-scale renewable energy facilities. Beyond supporting personnel, water quality plays a direct role in maintaining solar panel efficiency, reducing maintenance requirements and protecting long-term infrastructure investment.
By delivering an integrated treatment solution tailored to the site’s operational requirements, Greenchain Group enabled TotalEnergies to establish a dependable water supply for both drinking water and process water applications from a single borehole source.
The project demonstrates Greenchain Group’s ability to design complex water treatment systems for critical infrastructure projects, combining advanced treatment technologies, intelligent automation and practical engineering to support long-term operational performance across the renewable energy sector.
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Facing similar water challenges?
Whether you’re developing a solar farm, mining operation, industrial facility or remote infrastructure project, reliable water treatment should be designed into the project from the outset. Greenchain Group partners with EPC contractors, developers and asset owners to deliver intelligent water treatment solutions that improve operational resilience, support sustainability goals and protect critical infrastructure.