WATSUN

The main objective of this course is to train qualified and motivated engineers and scientists who are active (or intending to become active) in the Energy or WASH-sector in humanitarian and development contexts in the booming field of solarisation of water supply systems. The participants should be able, at the end of the course, to plan, design, implement and assess cost-effectiveness of solar water supply systems in the context of humanitarian and development operations.

The training covers a wide range of technical and economic aspects required to implement sustainable solar water schemes aiming towards development. Solarisation of water schemes is currently booming worldwide, with climate-resilient solutions high on the strategic agenda of INGOS, UN agencies, donors and governments. Technical know-how on specificities of water-scheme solarisation have so far not been consistently integrated in academic curricula of engineers and scientists active in the WASH sector, which is why such dedicated trainings are of prime importance. The specificities of this training are both the integration of borehole dynamic processes into the design of solar water schemes as well as the hands-on mounting of a full solar water scheme in the field.

The training course is subdivided into a mixture of theoretical sessions directly followed by practical work in the field. The following topics are covered: basics of operational hydrogeology, water resource management and solar feasibility studies, groundwater exploitation, borehole characterization, well-inspection and rehabilitation, pumping tests and interpretation, fundamentals of water distribution design and reservoir dimensioning, solar energy principles and solar water scheme design, cost and life cycle analysis, operation and maintenance.

During the practical course, all the theoretical assets are combined with hands-on exercises in all fields, from well inspection to pumping tests to the design and assemblage of a full solar water scheme in parallel with real case study exercises following all steps.

Objectives

• Introduction to relevant principles of applied hydrogeology, with particular emphasis on optimized groundwater exploitation, water management in humanitarian and development contexts 
• Introduction to borehole diagnostics and solar pre-feasibility studies
• To plan, design, carry out and interpret a pump test to obtain the ‘safe solar yield’ as design input for solar water scheme design
• Introduction to design of water distribution networks, from water point to reservoir, with particular emphasis on specificities of solar water schemes 
• To understand the close link between exploitation schemes/energy consumption and solar water scheme design
• To get familiar with the basics of solar energy principles and the factors affecting solar pumping schemes functioning
• To learn how to design a solar water scheme based on the result of the pumping test
• To get hands-on experience in assembling a complete solar water supply scheme
• To get familiarized with life-cycle analysis in order to compare different technology choices and optimize exploitation costs

Target audience

The course is designed for engineers and scientists interested in the domain of water supply and solar systems in humanitarian and development contexts. Previous knowledge or experience of solar energy technology is not required.

Admission conditions

University or equivalent degree. Prior experience in the domains of water supply or solar energy of advantage.

Degree

"Certificate of Participation" issued by the Continuing Education Department, University of Neuchâtel (Centre for Hydrogeology and Geothermics) and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC-Water and Habitat Unit)

Course date

22nd to 29th August 2025

Language

English

Place

University of Neuchâtel
Centre of Hydrogeology and Geothermics of the University of Neuchâtel (CHYN)
Rue Emile-Argand 11
2000 Neuchâtel

Venue: Lectures and accommodation in Maison Rousseau, 2149-Champ-du Moulin (NE, Switzerland) (www.maisonrousseau.ch). Practical field work at Robinson (Colombier, NE)