University challenge
Are you involved in water research? Then why not take the IWEX University Challenge!
D
oes your university Successful entrants will get the chance to development of new and innovative technology
conduct research present their project in front of a judging panel in the water industry. He is leading several
into the water and an industry audience at IWEX on April 22. unique propositions to drive efficiency through
sector? Are you involved in an Entries will be judged by a panel of three innovation with water company clients. Steve
exciting water-related experts. Paul Horton is Director, International Kaye is Manager of Innovation at Anglian Water.
research project? Would you Development, at CIWEM. He has established the Criteria used to evaluate entries will include:
like to present your ideas to a CIWEM Climate Change Network and has led on degree of innovation, environmental impact,
group of industry experts? CIWEMs input to the UNFCCC negotiations technical content and commercial potential.
Paul Horton The IWEX University supporting the work of the Global Public Policy To enter the University Challenge complete
Challenge is looking to identify Network. He is also a board member of PIUK the entry form on:
the latest water research projects that will deliver: China, a grouping of professional institutions www.sustainabilitylive.com/enterchallenge
● Increased efficiency and cost savings for developing in China, and is the CIWEM The deadline for entries is March 31.
existing procedures and technologies representative on the inter-institutional group, The winner will be announced on the day and
● New procedures and technologies including ICE and RAEng’. Ken Gedman is the award will be presented at the Water Industry
● Energy savings Business Unit Director for Water & Wastewater Achievement Awards ceremony on 20 May at the
● More sustainable water management Asset Management at Mouchel. This includes International Convention Centre in Birmingham.
● More effective treatment of unwanted Mouchel's Technology Approval Group (TAG), a To find out more about the awards log on to
particles in water division established to create investment for the www.web4water.com/awards
Why research is vital to the industry
We asked three industry experts how they view university research into the water sector
The experts: Ian Bernard, Technical Manager, Nick: Research into the water sector exposes having to invest in the less attractive options –
British Water; Martin Tillotson, Manager of bright young people (the students) to what the we get to do the choosing. It is easier to control
Research and Development, Yorkshire Water; water companies do and the problems and spend and resource allocations and it is also very
Nick Haskins, Operations Manager for Agbar challenges they face. We get access to cost effective.
Environment Limited (on behalf of Agbar and academics and their knowledge and are To what extent has your organisation been
Bristol Water) exposed to new and different technologies, involved in university research?
which might be ripe for technology transfer into Ian: Cranfield is the only university member
Why is it so important that universities conduct our sector. of British Water. However we have several
research for the water sector? What are the potential benefits for the universities on our circulation list and they
Ian: The water sector is the most important industry from university research? receive information updates. We also network
sector for public health, environmental health, Ian: It is essential that universities conduct regularly with several leading ‘water’ universities.
food and agriculture, energy production and research for several reasons. Firstly, undertake Martin: Over the last five years we have
other industrial processes. Climate Change, basic research – this is longer-term research worked with over 20 university departments
sustainability, population increase and migration, needed for the future. Secondly, undertake both in the UK and overseas – mainly in Europe
water resource issues are major issues facing collaborative applied research to be part of the and Australia. In 2005, we established industry-
society. However, there is a lack of recognition as needed ‘innovation’ in the water sector. Thirdly leading strategic partnerships with four leading
to the importance of water by successive they have research equipment/laboratories, can UK universities active in the water sector:
governments and hence the lack of investment apply for funding, work with SMEs, etc, They Cranfield University, Imperial College London,
in R&D and innovation. Universities are an train and involve the next generation of the University of Leeds and the University of
essential part of water education, producing a scientist/engineers. Sheffield. We have invested over £8m in research
trained skilled work force and undertaking R&D Martin: Working with universities helps to in these four universities.
and other innovation processes. ensure we have a continual supply of innovation Nick: We have been working with the
Martin: During the last five years we have and technical solutions in the future. If we University of Bristol on the development of ice
invested £9.4M in university-based research and stopped investing in university-based research, pigging, something that the university has
development in the UK. This accounts for around these solutions would eventually dry up and we worked on since 1999. In January this year the
57% of our R&D budget. We believe it is would either not be prepared for the university gave Agbar Environment the
important to work with universities who have the environmental and technical challenges which worldwide licence for ice pigging water and
technical expertise, talent and knowledge of our face us, or we would not be able to continue sewage pipes. The aim is to establish ice pigging
industry to help us understand the environment making the efficiency and customer service as a method to clean water mains that
we work in and to help produce the technical gains we have enjoyed since privatisation. previously would have not been possible. Over
solutions and the skilled people we will need in Nick: Universities can commission research the last few years we have built up a good
the future. Universities effectively provide the work which we could not do ourselves (either working relationship that has benefited both
seedcorn research which supply chain and because of lack of expertise or stretched parties. We hope to maintain this and continue
industry needs and will continue to develop into resources). We can cherry pick the very best that to work together on challenges that the water
commercial solutions for the future. the universities have come up with, without industry will face, now and in the future. 13 IWEX 2010 PREVIEW
REGISTER FOR FREE ENTRY AT WWW.SUSTAINABILITYLIVE.COM/IWEX
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