Dominique: ​[00:00:00] Hello, welcome to another episode of Green Champions.

Adam: Thanks for joining us in a conversation with real people, making real environmental change in the work that they do. I'm here with Dominique, our sustainability expert.

Dominique: And I'm so glad to be here alongside Adam, our social enterprise extraordinaire. We bring you guests who saw the potential for impact in their job or community and did something about it.

Adam: Green Champions is a platform to share sustainability success stories, and plant new ideas.

Dominique: This is our mini series in Valbruna, Italy, highlighting an event called NanoValbruna.

Adam: NanoValbruna is an international forum that brings scientists, entrepreneurs, professors, professionals, journalists, science communicators, and especially young people, to the heart of the Julian Alps, to talk about innovation, environment, and regeneration. Dominique had the chance to attend NanoValbruna and capture the stories of their accomplishments, and so as you're listening, I'm also [00:01:00] here equally excited to hear this episode. 

​

Dominique: Today I am joined by Nihat Ercan. He's the founder of one of the innovation teams here for the week long Nanovalbruna event. And we're gonna talk about what it feels like to be an international team coming out for this really exciting event.

 And just talk through kind of his innovation and concept, his take on the role of innovation in sustainability and some other fun hot takes you might have. So thanks for joining me today.

Nihat: Well, it's a pleasure to be here.

Dominique: I'm gonna first have you explain what your venture does and where you are based.

Alright, so,

Nihat: All right. 

PiKARE SKYSOURCE: Generating Water from Air

Nihat: So, hi everyone, this is NIhat Ercan, I'm co-founder of PiKARE SKYSOURCE. We're based out of Florida, Orlando. What we do is we have a system that generates water out of the humidity in the air. Also, with the use of concentrated solar panels, we can generate direct electricity and climatization also dehumidification to the end user.

Dominique: How'd you figure that out?

Nihat: It's a teamwork, and I'm part of a great team of innovators and experts in the field. Currently, [00:02:00] I'm the co-founder of the United States chapter.

Dominique: Very cool. How did you get connected? How did it get started?  

Nihat: I got involved through my mom and she's a great member of the team.

She has experience in regulatory compliance, also green energy for over 30 years. She was able to represent Turkey in UN regarding automotive industry. So her and a few other friends. They got started with this and they kept on moving after I graduated high school. She pulled me in, she said, "If you want to make a difference, if you wanna, if you want to achieve yourself, maybe this is a good place to start." So here I am now. 

Dominique: So you're from Turkey?   

Can you share more about your background? I know you have a lot of international education and life experience, which I think also is really interesting at this international forum. 

Nihat: Yep. Born in New York, raised in Istanbul. Moved back to the United States to finish high school. I was in a French high school in Turkey. After I moved back graduated from high school, then moved again to Amsterdam for college, Economics and Business Economics. Unfortunately COVID hit. [00:03:00] So I came back. Right now I'm in Orlando and right now I'm studying aviation management, which seems a little bit irrelevant, however, aviation is a hobby of mine. And there are a lot of potentials in the aviation industry. There are a lot of opportunities to make the industry more sustainable.

Actually, that's one of my focus points as well as many other sectors that need green initiative and sustainability initiatives..

Dominique: I know you've shared with me that the carbon credit connection from aviation to your venture. Can you explain that for us? 

The Carbon Credit Connection: Aviation and CORSIA

Nihat: Right after 2027, 2028, the aviation industry will be subject to CORSIA credit system. It will be implemented by ICAO which is the International Authority of Aviation.

And the aviation industry will need to buy CORSIA eligible carbon credits in order to minimize their emissions. So, our system through its outputs can generate carbon credits, and as soon as we deploy our first product, we're gonna get it [00:04:00] evaluated for CORSIA credit eligibility. It's a long way to make an industry fully sustainable, especially with the use of current aviation fuel. 'cause that's where most of the emissions come from. However on the ground side of it my system can make a great difference. And I know that.

Dominique: That's awesome. And you're connecting a resource that is limited to a resource that's abundant by taking your humidity. And we've heard about Florida and the humidity if we've not been there, and you're able to capture that humidity and turn it into a useful water source.

The Novelty of PiKARE SKYSOURCE's Technology

Dominique: Can you explain, like, why is this really novel? Like, why is no one else doing that? Was there a key technology in here? 

Nihat: There are people doing that. However, most of our competitors are trying it from a HVAC unit perspective.

Dominique: Okay. Explain that more.

Nihat: So we process humidity in a different way ' cause most of our competitors process humidity in an HVAC standpoint. HVAC is designed to provide conditioned air. It does generate water, but it's not at a [00:05:00] quantity where it would be sustainable for a farm, for a household, for an industrial space, as I can say, or in a public area. That's number one. 

And number two is we have our own patented technology of processing humidity. We use a certain type of inorganic mineral which absorbs the humidity. And it becomes a mixture, a liquid mixture where we run it through chambers, evaporate the water, run the steam through a turbine, and then condensate it, and then filter it.

Dominique: And then you transport it or what happens next?

Nihat: So, it's, it's an output of the system. If you want to, you can hook the system up to an existing infrastructure. You can sort in tanks, actually, it's up to the end user. So it's a little bit of a customized solution. 

Dominique: Okay. So it sounds like your customer looks more like the person who's, or the airline or industry that's buying these credits that would fund the effort. Who's the user and what is this water used for? Is it?

Nihat: This? Water can be used for agriculture, [00:06:00] especially vertical agriculture. This water can be used in semiconductor industry. This water can be used in data centers. This water can be used by households. This water can be used by public parks. This water can be used by airports, terminals ' cause planes need water. Boats need water. Toilets need water, and humans need water for drinking. So we're able to provide

Dominique: Okay. so this water's potable and it's used for gray water. That's huge.

Nihat: It is, it is. The direct output of the system is grade two water, which is used for agriculture and industrial. But we can just put a filter on it inside the system so that the end user can actually drink it. And we've seen, 'cause we did tests on organic farms. And we saw that the yields, increased in a good percentage that is due to the quality of the water.

Why NanoValbruna?

Dominique: What brought you to this international forum? What's the hope for being here as a team?

Nihat: [00:07:00] Being here as a team, what we hope for is getting recognition within Italy because we think that Italy could be a good place to start in the European Union.

Italy needs water, especially in the south. People experience water stress, water shortage which has incredible effects on agricultural production. Also their livelihood and, if we're able to solve their problem, we would be more than happy to continue on to solving other people's problems as well.

NanoValbruna actually was a surprise for me too. To be honest, I didn't expect to come here, but there was an opportunity, and I'm kind of adventurous. I think that's a key point in my personality. So I said, " It sounds great." I looked at the program, it was exactly what I was looking for as an entrepreneur.

And I get to meet with incredible people over here, including you who have different perspectives, who are really [00:08:00] smart. And I know that Valbruna can open up a lot of doors for my technology and for me.

Dominique: So thinking about that and some of the conversations you've had, I guess first, what is your perspective on what really will advance us towards sustainability? I know from chatting with you that like what you think about innovation, you're very passionate about innovation. Can you just share your take on like where you think the solutions are and how you think we should focus on them? 

Nihat: The use of human brain is very important to find solutions to existing problems and, I think we all should try to innovate. Because we never know what's coming. You may not be interested in a certain topic, but if you can just have the time to think about a problem, try to find a solution maybe you'll get somewhere. And that could change a lot of lives throughout the world, global South, Europe, Asia. 

Dominique: Is there an innovation that like sparked this interest for you? Was there something you saw that you were like, "Wow, that person figured that [00:09:00] thing out and I want to do something similar?"

Nihat: Actually, it was it was a friend of mine his name is Salp.

Dominique: Little shout out for your friend.

Nihat: Yes. He had a project that was very interesting. It's not related to green technology, but we were able to take it a little bit to a point where he was able to go and meet with industrial giants. However, it didn't happen so we had to kill the project, unfortunately.

And that kind of sparked the idea of getting myself involved with innovation because they, a few years later on, I saw a similar innovation actually being produced. 

it is. It is, but it is, but I don't look at it from that standpoint. Like, I say, "wow, if we were able to get in on this, if we were able to we would've been big." that's for sure. That's for sure. But maybe I have other opportunities. 

So

I'm looking, I'm looking at a glass from the half full yeah. 

Dominique: Like wow, next time I'm gonna jump on my Instincts. 

Nihat: And as an [00:10:00] innovator, as an entrepreneur I'm actually glad to see that there's consciousness growing on green and renewable energy sector and capital flowing through it.

It's hard to get capital for entrepreneurs. We're spending days, to find an investor. Sometimes they're saying, "Oh, okay, we'll match the investment."

Dominique: Sometimes you fly halfway across the world to meet people. 

Nihat: Exactly, I'm not complaining about it because money doesn't come out from nowhere, and there are a lot of people who have a lot of ideas and they're also seeking funding. So it's a, it's a high value commodity- investment. It's hard to get, but if you have a good team, if you have a good product, good technology, good solution to an existing problem, that's pretty much the concept of innovating. If you're innovating, then you'll be able to get. That's what I believe in.

Dominique: What's the stage of your venture right now? So you shared what you do, but give us an idea of how big your team is and what you're focused on right now.

Nihat: Currently, we're in pre-seed round. We [00:11:00] have a proof of concept that worked for three years, one year consecutively in Turkey. It's a system that can generate. 2000 liters which is approximately like 500 gallons, not precise a day.

And it can also generate 20 kilowatt hours of electricity per day. Of that 20 kilowatt hours, you can use 15 for climatization purposes, and you can use five for direct electricity.

Dominique: In case you had an investor listening, why should someone invest?

It's a disruptive technology. It is. And we are actively looking for channels, sales channels that can increase our service obtainable market. Carbon credits actually is a nice way that we can increase our service obtainable market. 

Nihat: Honestly, can you explain carbon credits so those who don't know what they are and a little bit about the market for carbon credits right now. Is it early? Is it mid growth? What, how do you see the carbon credit world? 

The Carbon Credit Market and Its Challenges

Nihat: It is a credit system mainly built for big [00:12:00] industries to minimize their impact on the environment. 

It's a tradable commodity right now. And I do believe there is a little bit of a balloon in there. Well, because there's a lot of money involved in this process and carbon credits, since they have different criteria, they're regulated by different agencies, it's open to manipulation. We're also disruptive in that too because we, as soon as we deploy our first product, we're gonna get our product evaluated for carbon credits so that we can provide our end user with the carbon credits. That's kind of a marketing goal that we have.

Dominique: And from your role in aviation, because I know that was a big perspective for you on like just the carbon credit need, where are we at with carbon credits in the market right now?

Nihat: So right now I know that the aviation sector is actively looking for carbon credits. 

Dominique: But they're not required yet. Is that what you were saying? 

Nihat: Right now it's, more of an optional, but after 2027, 2028, it will be in effect. [00:13:00] Unfortunately that means higher prices for tickets and higher cost basically. And higher cost means a little bit more difficulty in traveling, unfortunately because US transportation industry heavily relies on aviation industry.

Dominique: And why do you care about contributing to our climate problem?

Nihat: I'm an innovator. When I see problems, I like to solve them.

Dominique: So you're motivated by the complexity of the problem?

Nihat: Yes. And making a difference. I think that will satisfy me personally. If I can contribute to the society in a way that I can improve and change a lot of people's lives, I think I would consider myself successful.

Dominique: I like that. When talking about your venture and the solution you wanna bring and all these connections to some of these corporate environments, what is the biggest thing you have to educate on when you're sharing about your venture? Do people get hung up on a certain aspect. And where is that need for education?

Nihat: The need for education. That, that's a good question. Because I want to, I wanna point something out since it's a growing sector and [00:14:00] open to manipulation, there are people who are trying to take advantage of the system that is being constructed. The important thing is will you get your money's worth, if you're gonna buy a certain product?

 That's also our difference. So the product that we're offering you can generate water, electricity, also carbon credits through the outputs. Instead of, we're doing this and this is doing this, and we're gonna give you carbon credits. 

Dominique: So you have less of a linear offering. You kinda have to lay out like all the many prongs that come out of your solution. 

Nihat: Yeah yeah. I don't want to name any names companies wise. Maybe our technology is a little bit more expensive however, it will provide outputs. So we're actually giving our customers an asset from an accounting standpoint standpoint. 

Dominique: I mean, you're creating a resource. 

You're turning something that is not traditionally thought of as a resource and turning it into one, which when in the world of sustainability and resource stewardship, you are not only [00:15:00] conserving, you're creating. 

Nihat: Yes. 

Dominique: Yeah. Which I think is huge. I'm a fan

Nihat: For the users the reason I put accountability in there, since it's an asset, it's generating revenue. 

Dominique: Mm-hmm. 

Nihat: It also depreciates.

Dominique: When a customer is working with you, they get to own that resource that comes out, or they're just paying you to create it? Like who owns that final product?

Nihat: Customer. 

Dominique: Oh, that's very cool. That's interesting. That's a huge value add. I wasn't sure because I feel like they would pay, they could potentially pay just to have the resource created in exchange for the credit. So I wasn't sure if you also let them own it at the end. 

Nihat: Yeah. The customer owns the final product. Currently, we're estimating operational costs to be three to 5% of the retail value of the system itself. But they can be offsetted very easily with the generated outputs.  

Dominique: Okay. What is the most interesting thing you've learned so far in the workshops here?

Nihat: The most interesting that I learned in the workshops was actually it's kind of a refreshment on a point of view for venture capital. I did not get to meet the European side of venture capital before coming here. And over here, I was able to meet and understand that side as well.

Dominique: Is it very different?

Nihat: It is not. However, there are some things that you need to consider. 

Dominique: Can you spot one key difference between US VC and European VC that you've noticed?

Maybe it's not the number one difference, but something that you took away.

Nihat: Europe since falling a little bit behind on United States on innovations, they're a little bit more eager to find good products. 

Dominique: So you felt a sense of energy that was different?

Nihat: Yes, they need good products because they're falling behind on the race. And if you're looking at it, the European Union is in the top three economies of the world, and they need to be able [00:16:00] to preserve that position against the exponentially growing China and a world leader, United States. If they lose their economic let's say economic power, it will be disruptive for them. So they're working hard to find innovations, support innovations, localize production, establishing a base for innovators to come and build from here.

Dominique: Very cool. Are there more agricultural uses for your end product? 

Nihat: Agricultural use? Yes. Vertical farms, hydroponic farms, any farm can use the water, which is the main output of the system. And we have a scalable system. Currently, our proof of concept generates 2000 liters, but with scalability, we can go up to 200,000 liters. Which is basically in and out of itself an off-grid power plants. We're not on that level physically, but were 100% sure that we can scale it up to that because we made all the research and development regarding to this. That was actually something that I pushed for within the company to take it to the next level' cause that's the next level for us. If we're able to scale it up to liters a day, it will be a game changer.

The Importance of Water Conservation

Dominique: For anybody listening that is not aware of the state of our water problem as well, can you explain just why water conservation is important and why potentially harnessing this water in the air and turning it as something different is also a value add besides the energy stuff?

Nihat: 25% of the world's population is experiencing current water crisis. And the percent, 25%. And this percentage is expected to go up to 47% by 2030. It's due to a shifting climate, that's for sure. And, no water [00:17:00] means, first of all, no agriculture or very hard agriculture. That means increased food prices, more hunger in the world. 

Water also means sanitation. No sanitation or less sanitation could cause more diseases widespread. No water means less production. Overall industrial-wise. Less production means higher cost, higher prices. And higher shortages as I can say. So water connects everyone in this world. It's a factor that connects everyone in this world and it is truly something amazing.

Dominique: Well, I'm very grateful for what you're working on. I think you are a very great example of what this forum is intending to do in terms of having week long experience to network and meet people, but also to bring people from other parts of the world. And I think you're particularly interesting as an American contestant in this innovation contest, but you're not just American, you know, you have [00:18:00] education and perspective from other cultures and communities within Europe and not, and I just think that's really interesting that you came to this to contribute and to bring your idea. And I love that you're turning what is a problem in some communities, humidity and turning it into valuable resource and thinking creatively about, I think you have so many angles to go with this, and it'll be exciting to see like where you start and where the take is from the consumer end. So yeah, I'm very excited about you. Thank you for chatting with me.

Nihat: I really appreciate being your guest on this podcast.

Dominique: If you'll wanna learn more about you and follow along with this innovation and whatever else you work on, how can they learn more about you? 

Nihat: LinkedIn. My full name is Nihat Akin Ercan. And you can also go and follow me and PiKARE SKYSOURCE. We'd be more than happy to connect with anybody who's interested in participating in our journey.

Thank you 

Dominique: Perfect. Thanks for chatting with me. 

​

Dominique: So [00:19:00] Adam, what'd you think of Nihat's episode?

Adam: That was really fun just hearing one of the participants who was pitching, talking about an idea that not only reduces carbon, but also give something back. So I really love this idea of how they're, building something that creates clean water, energy at the same time but also puts that resource into the hands of the consumers.

So people who buy the products actually have that control over that 

Dominique: Yeah. Something else fun is that when I was interviewing Nihat, he was a contestant in the contest. And then, after recording that episode and after NanoValbruna wrapped up. And Nihat ended up winning the contest.

So he ended up being this most recent winner and he had come from the US. He was the only US based contestant. So, that was very cool. And it was awesome to be able to capture his story before winning.

Adam: That is fantastic. And that's fun that you picked the winner to interview ahead of time.

Dominique: Yeah, really only picked one current contestant and it happened to be the winner, so. 

Adam: Well, I'm curious to follow how he does on his fundraising and growing his company, but it sounded like a neat venture 

Dominique: [00:20:00] Yeah. Maybe we'll have Nihat back in the future.

As always, our guests have found a unique way to champion sustainability.

We're here to put a real names and stories behind the idea that no matter your background, career or interests, you really can contribute in the fight against climate change. 

Adam: You can find our episodes and reach us at thegreenchampions.com. If you want to stay in the loop, give us a review and follow us on your favorite podcast platform. Our music is by Zane Dweik. Thanks for listening to Green Champions, and we'll dig into another sustainability success story in our next episode. 

​