BlueTech Research Podcast Channel

Dr Vishal Wagholikar joins Rhys and Divya to break down findings from his new Horizon Scan on cooling technologies. As data centres grow more power-hungry, water use is emerging as a blind spot—and a growing concern. The trio unpacks liquid cooling breakthroughs, water use effectiveness metrics, and shifting industry priorities. If you're in cooling, water, or digital infrastructure, don't miss this. The full report is now available on the BlueTech Intelligence platform. Download here or request access.--Presented by BlueTech Research®, Actionable Water Technology Market Intelligence. Watch the trailer of Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey. Get involved, and learn more on the website: braveblue.world

January 2025 brought significant changes to the water industry. From extreme weather events affecting Cork, Australia, and LA, to the EPA's withdrawal of proposed PFAS limits following the new Trump administration. Bluetech will host a press briefing on the implications of these PFAS regulatory changes, particularly for biosolids management.New research reportsBluetech's latest research covers critical water sector challenges: stormwater management with digital and nature-based solutions, innovations in water conveyance addressing aging infrastructure, and advances in water treatment materials. The team has also analyzed emerging contaminants beyond PFAS, forecasting future regulatory trends.Atmospheric Water Generation: a market in transitionThe atmospheric water generation (AWG) market has evolved beyond its niche origins, now exceeding $100 million in revenue with projected growth to $800 million by 2030. New industrial applications are emerging, from carbon capture dehumidification to heat recovery from industrial airstreams. The sector has seen rapid growth in both technological advancement and market participants, suggesting an approaching market maturation.Upcoming eventsPFAS Press Briefing with Dr Paul O'Callaghan, Jacob Steele, Dr Ali Ling, and Dr Glen Daigger on February 11th: register here.Join Bluetech's web briefing on Atmospheric Water Generation on March 6th, featuring Dr. Kim Wu and industry expert Roland Walgren. Register here.--Presented by BlueTech Research®, Actionable Water Technology Market Intelligence. Watch the trailer of Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey. Get involved, and learn more on the website: braveblue.world

In this finale episode, Rhys and Divya reflect on the year's achievements, including the launch of a Market-creating Legislation and Regulation Tracker and a review of photodynamic disinfection technology. They also delve into BlueTech's Top 10 Patent Applications for 2024 and share a sneak peek at the exciting topics slated for 2025. Stay tuned for updates on Bluetech Forum Unplugged, a new event format that promises more intimate and focused discussions. Happy holidays and see you in the new year! ✨--Presented by BlueTech Research®, Actionable Water Technology Market Intelligence. Watch the trailer of Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey. Get involved, and learn more on the website: braveblue.world

In this special episode of the BlueNotes Podcast, hosts Rhys Owen and Divya Inna are joined by Jacob Steele, Senior Research Analyst and author of BlueTech's latest Horizon Scan on PFAS Destruction Technologies. This episode builds on the recent client-only web briefing, broadening the conversation to the wider water community about the persistent challenge of PFAS (“forever chemicals”) and the technologies driving change.Jacob dives deep into the cutting-edge technologies reshaping the landscape of PFAS destruction. From electrochemical oxidation and supercritical water oxidation to pyrolysis, he explains how these methods pair with concentration technologies like foam fractionation to create effective treatment solutions. He also highlights the progress made by leading companies such as Axine Water Technologies, Aclarity, and Revive Environmental, shedding light on their innovative approaches and recent milestones.The conversation delves into the economics of PFAS destruction, comparing the costs and feasibility of emerging technologies with traditional methods such as incineration and landfilling. Jacob breaks down the site-specific factors that influence the selection of treatment methods, providing actionable insights for those managing PFAS challenges.The episode also explores the evolving global regulatory landscape, particularly in the U.S. and Europe, and its impact on the adoption and development of PFAS treatment technologies. Jacob shares his perspective on the critical role policy changes will play in shaping the future of this field.Whether you're an industry insider or simply curious about water innovation, this episode is packed with actionable insights and expert perspectives.Resources:

Green Chemistry takes center stage as Rhys and Divya dive into the world of sustainable chemical manufacturing and the importance of the 12 principles from the US EPA. Discover the challenges and potential of market adoption and the exciting developments in green alternatives like Hydrex and bio-based polyacrylamide flocculants. Shift focus to Ultrafiltration (UF) membranes as we explore emerging innovations in ceramic and graphene oxide membranes, and the implications of upcoming EU PFAS restrictions. Don't miss the buzz about the WEFTEC conference in New Orleans, where Bluetech Research is proudly hosting a range of events, including Jamming for Water, the Breakfast Briefing and the Innovators Forum. Reports & Resources:Download the reports on Green Chemistry and UF Membranes from the BlueTech PlatformWEFTEC 2024: Registration --Presented by BlueTech Research®, Actionable Water Technology Market Intelligence. Watch the trailer of Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey. Get involved, and learn more on the website: braveblue.world

With WEFTEC a couple of weeks from now, hosts Divya Inna and Rhys Owen dive into the highly anticipated event, which is the largest water industry event in North America, taking place in New Orleans. Join them as they highlight BlueTech Research's top picks for the most impactful presentations and innovations, along with key events not to miss.You'll hear an expert breakdown of the top abstracts submitted to WEFTEC and categorized by the most pressing industry themes like sustainability, PFAS removal, digital innovation, resource recovery, and more. Whether you're attending WEFTEC for the first time or a seasoned attendee, this episode is packed with insights to help you get the most out of the conference.Key Discussion Points:BlueTech Research's analysis of the top 50 WEFTEC abstracts covers themes like water reuse, sludge valorization, and PFAS removal technologies. Download from here.A spotlight on the 2024 Innovation Showcase, featuring seven cutting-edge companies from four continents, presenting breakthrough solutions in AI, PFAS destruction, and rainwater harvesting.Preview of exclusive BlueTech events at WEFTEC, including the Innovation Pavilion, Breakfast Briefing, and the fan-favorite Water Innovation Partners Forum.Don't miss the Jamming for Water event on Saturday, a celebration of music and water industry collaboration.Learn about Croc Tank, a must-see pitch competition featuring the latest technologies from the Innovation Showcase.Connect with usIf you're attending WEFTEC, stop by the BlueTech Research booth #1053A in the Innovation Pavilion for a quick hello or one-on-one chat.Not attending? Stay connected with BlueTech Research for updates and insights from WEFTEC 2024.--Presented by BlueTech Research®, Actionable Water Technology Market Intelligence. Watch the trailer of Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey. Get involved, and learn more on the website: braveblue.world

Earth Observation Science (EOS) is a rapidly growing field, with applications ranging from water risk assessment to sustainability reporting. Satellite data can be used to monitor drought and flood risk, water quality, and leak detection. The market for EOS solutions in the water sector is estimated to reach $2 billion by 2027. Utility and technology providers are increasingly interested in this space. This market potential is explored in detail in BlueTech's newly published report on EOS, which examines the technologies, market size, and key players. The report is especially relevant for municipal leaders, chief technology officers, R&D managers, and sustainability managers.Brine management and zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) are also important topics in the water industry. While the market for these solutions has grown more slowly than expected, the market opportunity is currently estimated at $600 to $800 million.  Technological advancements have led to the development of smaller capacity systems, now being applied in industries like textiles and food & beverage, largely driven by stricter environmental regulations.Another significant aspect of the discussion is the technology shakeout observed since the last report in 2018. Some technologies, such as forward osmosis, have evolved to find new applications outside traditional ZLD use cases, like concentrating fruit juices in the food and beverage industry. For listeners interested in exploring these topics further, the latest reports on Earth Observation Science and Brine Management & ZLD are now available for download. WEFTEC 2024 in New OrleansBlueTech will be hosting several events at WEFTEC, including the Innovation Pavilion and the CrockTank session, where emerging technologies will be showcased.Don't miss the Jamming for Water session on Saturday night, October 5th, and the Client Breakfast Briefing on Tuesday, October 8th.Reports & ResourcesEarth Observation Science Report: Download the ReportBrine Management & ZLD Report: Download the ReportWEFTEC 2024: Registration--Presented by BlueTech Research®, Actionable Water Technology Market Intelligence. Watch the trailer of Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey. Get involved, and learn more on the website: braveblue.world

In this episode of the Blue Notes podcast, hosts Divya and Rhys discuss recent travels and conferences, including high-profile events on lithium and hydrogen. They delve into the lithium market and the technology breakthroughs in direct lithium extraction, as well as the challenges in the hydrogen economy. The conversation also covers advanced thermal sludge treatment technologies and recent regulatory changes in the EU Wastewater Directive. With a packed schedule of reports and analyses, there's plenty of valuable content to look forward to over the summer.Divya and Rhys highlight upcoming research reports for BlueTech clients, including brine management and ZLD technologies, micropollutants, earth observation science, green chemistry, PFAS regulations, and the intriguing world ofnanobubbles.Join our next web briefing on Brine Management and ZLD on 20th August: register here The Blue Notes podcast and our upcoming work represent the cutting edge of sustainable technology and innovation. By keeping up with these advancements, we can drive our industries toward a greener, more sustainable future. Stay tuned for more insights and detailed reports on these critical topics, and as always, feel free to reach out with questions or for more information on how you can stay ahead of the curve: knowledge@bluetechresearch.com--Presented by BlueTech Research, Actionable Water Technology Market Intelligence. Watch the trailer of Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey. Get involved, and learn more on the website: braveblue.world

In this episode of the Blue Notes podcast, the hosts, Rhys and Divya, begin with a discussion about recent technical hiccups Rhys faced and a brief update on Divya's camper van office situation due to a house move. They reflect on their experiences at the Bluetech Forum, highlighting key presentations and personal stories, including Professor Kongjian Yu's talk on China's sponge cities movement and various personal 'Ikigai' stories shared by participants. They also discuss the showcase awards and the innovative companies that stood out, such as WASE and Membrion. The conversation shifts to the Lighthouse Awards, recognizing pioneering water resilience projects, and a sneak peek into future research topics for Bluetech, including PFAS destruction technologies and earth observation science. The hosts wrap up by mentioning upcoming events like WEFTEC and the publication of top abstracts from the event.00:00 Introduction and Technical Issues00:44 Life in a Camper Van01:44 Post Bluetech Forum Reflections03:15 Highlights from Bluetech Forum07:48 Showcase and Lighthouse Awards13:14 Upcoming Research and Events16:03 Conclusion and Farewell--Presented by BlueTech Research, Actionable Water Technology Market Intelligence. Watch the trailer of Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey. Get involved, and learn more on the website: braveblue.world

This episode features the upcoming Bluetech Forum, an event hosted by BlueTech Research that convenes experts from the global water sector. Scheduled for June 3rd and 4th, the forum highlights include innovation showcases.  Hosts Rhys and Divya also discuss the event's emphasis on partnerships and collaborations, such as the five by five session. Keynote speakers, Kong Jianyu, discussing sponge cities, and Gary White, co-founder of Water.org, are anticipated. They also explain the Six Thinking Hats workshops aiming for enriched conversations among attendees. Additionally, the forum includes a screening of the documentary 'Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey'. The hosts express excitement about in-person interactions, emphasizing the forum's value in networking and learning about cutting-edge solutions in water technology.00:00 Opening greetings 00:15 Previewing the Bluetech Forum00:43 What makes Bluetech Forum unique02:27 Highlighting innovation and emerging technologies06:01 Keynote speakers and learning opportunities07:08 Interactive workshops and networking09:41 Special screening event announcement11:08 Closing remarks and invitations--Presented by BlueTech Research, Actionable Water Technology Market Intelligence.Join us at BlueTech Forum 2024 in Edinburgh, Scotland! Watch the trailer of Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey. Get involved, and learn more on the website: braveblue.world

In this episode of the Blue Notes podcast, hosts Rhys and Divya discuss a variety of topics including the excitement surrounding the global premiere of Bluetech's second documentary 'Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey' on Earth Day in New York, welcoming key collaborators. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the new PFAS regulations by the EPA, setting strict maximum contaminant levels for drinking water, which poses challenges and opportunities within the water industry. Furthermore, an upcoming report on water and hydrogen showcases the intersection of the hydrogen economy and environmental sustainability. The episode also highlights the Bluetech Forum in Edinburgh, focusing on hydrogen and PFAS, and an upcoming web briefing on soft sensors technology. The episode wraps up with anticipation for the Bluetech Forum and the insights it promises to bring to water industry professionals00:00 Opening Greetings and Personal Updates00:21 Excitement for the Global Premiere in New York01:21 Easter Holidays and Personal Life Updates02:30 Diving into PFAS Regulations and Industry Impact06:21 Exploring Water and Hydrogen Report Updates08:03 Bluetech Forum and Upcoming Events09:09 Introduction to Soft Sensors Web Briefing10:46 Closing Remarks and Goodbyes--Presented by BlueTech Research, Actionable Water Technology Market Intelligence.Join us at BlueTech Forum 2024 in Edinburgh, Scotland! Watch the trailer of Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey. Get involved, and learn more on the website: braveblue.world

In this episode, Rhys and Divya discuss the global premiere of 'Our Blue World, A Water Odyssey' in New York, highlighting the fantastic celebration of the planet and the event's success, attributed to the support from various partners. They also touch upon the Brave Blue World Foundation, aimed at fostering scientific, educational storytelling for public engagement. Additionally, the discussion veers into Bluetech Research updates, focusing on recent works around soft sensor technologies and reverse osmosis membranes, including insights into innovation impact analysis related to carbon nanotubes and graphene membranes. The episode provides an engaging overview of recent advancements and events in water technology, alongside personal stories from the hosts.--Presented by BlueTech Research, Actionable Water Technology Market Intelligence.Join us at BlueTech Forum 2024 in Edinburgh, Scotland! Watch the trailer of Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey. Get involved, and learn more on the website: braveblue.world

This episode of Blue Notes dives into the world of water innovation. Join Divya and Rhys as they discuss the upcoming Bluetech Forum in Edinburgh, Scotland (June 3rd-4th), where industry leaders will explore the latest water tech solutions.They then shift gears to chat about a critical environmental issue: greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment plants. They highlight a new Bluetech Research report on measuring and reducing nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, the biggest culprit. Learn about effective strategies for tackling this challenge.Looking to the future, the conversation explores the role of sensors and data in transforming the water industry. But it's not all smooth sailing - discover the challenges of integrating various technologies and ensuring cybersecurity.Divya and Rhys wrap up by sharing some recent industry news, including a surprising bankruptcy and a major company facing wastewater discharge violations. Plus, get a sneak peek at Bluetech Research's upcoming investigations into reverse osmosis, Legionella control, and advancements in biological treatment processes.--Presented by BlueTech Research, Actionable Water Technology Market Intelligence.Join us at BlueTech Forum 2024 in Edinburgh, Scotland! Stay tuned for the world premiere of Brave Blue World in March 2024.

We delve deep into the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) in the water industry as we explore the rapid evolution of AI technology, including machine learning and generative AI, and how large language models are revolutionizing data analysis, decision support, and customer service within the water sector.We also introduce our new artificial intelligence large language model watch service, designed to keep our clients informed about the latest developments in AI and its impact on the water industry.Furthermore, we share insights from the recent Produced Water Society conference, highlighting critical discussions on water scarcity and produced water management in the energy sector.Additionally, we discuss the results of a global survey conducted by Bluetech Research and the International Desalination Association, focusing on emerging desalination technologies such as brine mining, batch RO, and membrane distillation.A special spotlight is placed on Kemira's KemConnect technology, a digital platform aimed at optimizing various aspects of water treatment. We explore its integration with large language models for future releases, underscoring the digital transformation occurring within the water industry.Stay tuned for more thought-provoking discussions and insights from BlueNotes Podcast as we continue to explore the intersection of technology and water innovation.--Presented by BlueTech Research, Actionable Water Technology Market Intelligence.Join us at BlueTech Forum 2024 in Edinburgh, Scotland! Stay tuned for the world premiere of Brave Blue World in March 2024.

In the latest episode of BlueNotes, hosts Divya Inna and Rhys Owen cover a range of pressing topics shaping the intersection of technology, sustainability, and water management.They kick off with a deep dive into the burgeoning lithium industry and its profound implications for the water economy. With the demand for lithium-ion batteries skyrocketing, the hosts underscore the critical role of water technologies across the lithium value chain. They spotlight emerging extraction methods and the evolving landscape of lithium supply, emphasizing the need for sustainable water management practices.  Transitioning to the semiconductor industry, Divya and Rhys shed light on the sector's increasing reliance on ultra-pure water and the sustainability challenges it faces. They explore the intricate technicalities involved in semiconductor manufacturing processes and the pressing need for innovative water management solutions.  Next, the hosts delve into the realm of Earth observation science, highlighting WaterPlan as a standout company utilizing satellite data to assess water risk. They discuss the complexities of aggregating diverse data sources and the potential of Earth observation technology to revolutionize water risk management.  The episode concludes with a focus on digital water technology and innovation, as BlueTech Research presents findings to the US EPA. Divya and Rhys unpack utilities' top concerns regarding water scarcity and aging infrastructure, emphasizing the potential of AI and large language models to address these challenges. If you're a BlueTech client, you can access the reports featured in this episode:

In this second episode of the BlueNotes podcast, hosts Divya and Rhys discuss various topics related to the water industry. They begin by mentioning their recent team trip to Lisbon, where they set objectives for 2024 and reviewed the research calendar. The episode covers a recap of the end-of-year webinar, Water Almanac, focusing on key trends in investments and patent activity in the water sector in 2023.

Join hosts Divya Inna and Rhys Owen as they reflect on the pivotal water-related events of 2023. From the rise of PFAS concerns, extreme weather events, and innovations in water treatment technologies to exploring the mysteries of sludge treatment and the quest for effective microplastic detection methods, the hosts delve into the latest insights and breakthroughs. Special attention is given to Blue Tech's November intelligence briefing, highlighting topics such as recycling reverse osmosis membranes, the adoption of anaerobic membrane bioreactor technology, and the ongoing battle against PFAS contamination in sludge treatment. Tune in for a comprehensive overview of the water landscape and a sneak peek into what the water industry may hold in 2024.--Presented by BlueTech Research, Actionable Water Technology Market Intelligence.Join us at BlueTech Forum 2024 in Edinburgh, Scotland! Stay tuned for the world premiere of Brave Blue World in March 2024.

We had the wonderful opportunity to speak with water scientist, NASA Earth Systems Science fellow and co-founder of the Mc Kinsey and company water practise Dr. Giulio Boccaletti. Many of you may be familiar with Guilio from his foundational work on the most seminal report that was ever written “Charting our water future” in collaboration with the World Bank. In this interview we speak with Guilio about his current thoughts on the charting our water future report, his journey thus far in the water industry and of course his new book "Water: a biography” which aims to share how humanity's relationship to moving water has shaped civilization, transformed political institutions, and defined people's lives.“We might find the biggest impact of water insecurity, is a flood of people, as opposed to a flood of water”

“We've forgotten that we're one planet and one family in every sense of the word and if we're going to successfully reverse global warming, we have to take care of each other and regenerate everything … and that's what Regeneration does, it provides a much bigger sense of possibility" - Paul Hawken, Author of RegenerationIn this episode we interviewed Paul Hawken, author of Regeneration who will be a keynote speaker at BlueTech Forum this year and discussed with him what regeneration really means, climate solutions that provide people with jobs, purpose, meaning and dignity and of course our upcoming event in Vancouver! Paul speaks to us about an abundance mindset and a renewed solutions orientated approach to climate challenges.We are excited to launch the full podcast episode, and we look forward to Paul Hawken's BlueNote at BlueTech Forum #regeneration #bluetechforum2022 #watertechnology

At BlueTech, innovation in the water sector is our favourite subject to discuss. Did you know that just under 10% of water technology innovations have a successful application and even then the impact is often disappointing. If you are wondering why this is the case than this is certainly the podcast episode for you!Towards the end of last year Paul O'Callaghan the CEO and founder of BlueTech Research was awarded his PHD at Wageningen University on the Dynamics of water innovation.The PHD aims to provide insights into the rate of adoption, diffusion and success of innovative water technologies globally. As well as discussing what makes certain innovations successful in his PHD, he also presented the water technology adoption model. Which can be used to monitor the spread of innovations. In this highly anticipated podcast episode Paul will speak to one of the challengers of his PHD, Dr Reinhard Hübner, the CEO at Skion Water.  In this episode Paul and Reinhard will unpack the different types of innovation, rates of success, adoption and give some very valuable advice to start ups in the water industry.

We are on our third attempt since the 1980s to provide universal access to water. SDG 6 – achieving clean water & sanitation for all by 2030, was not on track even before the pandemic. According to the UN, the rate of progress needs to quadruple if we are to get there by 2030.One of the fundamental challenges we face is that the UN's sustainable development goals use outdated assumptions of water availability; water scarcity is not adequately taken into account and if we were to roll out the established Victorian system of piped water to every home, to an extra 2 billion people will most certainly end up replicating all of its current problems. A paradigm shift is needed which focuses on innovations in technology, but also within business models: how can we realise the market opportunity of meeting SDG6? Paul O'Callaghan, CEO, BlueTech Research, recently conducted a thought leadership interview with David Lloyd Owen, author of ‘Global Water Funding: Innovation and Efficiency as Enablers for Safe, Secure and Affordable Supplies' (Palgrave Macmillan, 2020).David began following the water sector in 1989, previously at BNP Paribas and Ecofin Limited and is a member of the Advisory Board for the Pictet Water Fund. He has been carrying out detailed surveys for clients on the current status and future role of PSP in water in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas since 1995. These have evolved into studies on specific aspects of privatization and the analysis of PSP's evolution since the 1980s. Three major surveys on the practicalities of global water finance have been published between 2006 and 2020.The conversation sets the scene on our current progress towards SDG6 and asks the following questions: • What is the role of the private sector?• How do we make water affordable for people?• Are bottled water kiosks the “cell phone” of water infrastructure?• Rural vs. urban – which problem do you solve first?• What innovative practices and technologies for water and sanitation exist? How do they scale up?• Funding vs. the funding gap – how much money have we spent and how much more money is requiredBlueTech will be producing a report in the near future looking at both how alternative business models will shape the water industry between now and 2030, and where the business opportunities are in addressing SDG6. We believe it to be one the most significant market opportunities in the water sector so far.

BlueTech Forum 2020 Every industry contains a troop of pioneers – the catalysts, the moonshot thinkers – and doers, the ones we all end up following. It is no different when it comes to water.  BlueTech Research call these companies ‘The Lighthouses'.This opening plenary at BlueTech Forum 2020 featured a cross-section of the world's leading companies who feature in the Brave Blue World Foundation's inaugural awards shortlist.In their own unique way, each of the nominees are path-finding and trailblazing; setting ambitious targets, and turning these targets into reality by embracing new innovations and ways of working.Paul O'Callaghan is our host to guide us through the conversation.

BlueTech Forum 2019Nick works in the Insight and Analysis team of the Ellen Macarthur Foundation, a group of scientists, engineers and other technical specialists, that strive to provide evidence of the benefits of a circular economy as well as insights into the transition pathways. His roles at the Foundation include: managing the case study program that disseminates real life examples of circular economy; a member of the Cities and Circular Economy for Food systemic initiative and the thought-leader on Water and the Circular Economy. Before joining the Foundation, Nick worked for many years as an environmental engineer.His experience includes urban regeneration and landscaping projects for Arup in London, Lebanon and Singapore; solar irrigation and aquaculture in Uganda and Ethiopia; post-conflict and disaster relief work in Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Iraq and Indonesia. He has a Masters in renewable energy, is a chartered member of the Institute of Civil Engineers and a member of RedR.

BlueTech Forum 2020 Troubled Water: What's Wrong with What We Drink, Seth M. Siegel explores how America's drinking water became contaminated, how it impacts public health, and what solutions exist that can make US drinking water safe. Full of shocking stories about contaminated water found across the country, Troubled Water explains how we got to this point, highlights the everyday heroes who have tried to force changes in the quality and safety of drinking water, and concludes with what America must do to reverse decades of neglect.Due to years of Congressional inaction and lack of enforcement by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), contaminants, including pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, and lead, have been getting into drinking water across America. Many of these contaminants are linked to cancer, heart disease, birth defects, and lowered IQ. Because many of these contaminants are not regulated, no testing is required – leaving millions of households unknowingly at risk. Many communities have been forced to drink bottled water, but the quality and safety of this alternative is also unreliable.Fortunately, technologies already exist that are able to remove these harmful contaminants and make drinking water safe. Since most of the pipes and treatment plants are far beyond their useful life, over $1 trillion is needed to upgrade the US drinking water infrastructure. This crisis provides an opportunity for corporations, academics, and others who can play a part in improving America's drinking water system, and improving the nation's public health.Interviewing Seth is Reinhard Hubner, Investment Manager, Skion

Before founding BlueTech Research, Paul O'Callaghan was lead author on the groundbreaking report Water Technology Markets 2010. This report analysed the prospects of a wide range of innovative technologies across the water and wastewater treatment space. A decade later, we take stock of the changes in Water Technology Markets 2020. What has come to pass? What never materialised? What we can expect as we project out to 2030?The presentation takes into account the impact of COVID-19 and the potential ramifications on the global water technology market. From anaerobic membrane bioreactors to zero liquid discharge technologies, this upcoming report (exclusive to BlueTech Research clients) will summarise the changes within a catalogue of innovations in terms of market trajectory, and the fate and progress of the technology suppliers. The presentation examines:– What trends were called correctly 10 years ago, and what was off the mark?– Which technologies didn't pan out, and why?– What drives success and failure in water technology innovation?– What will the next 10 years look like? BlueTech Research's Divya Inna and Paul O'Callaghan guides us through this Water Technology Markets 2020 preview, including mind-maps and forecasts for technology growth

Water 4.0: The Past, Present, and Future of the World's Most Vital ResourceDavid Sedlak, University of California at Berkeley.   Keynote from BlueTech Forum 2019. 

In this closing keynote at BlueTech Forum 2018, Michael Flynn from NASA Ames Research Center shared his insights  on managing water in a closed loop environment.

Mark Nelson, ‘Biospherian' and Chairman, Institute of Ecotechnics Ecologist and author, Mark Nelson was one of the original ‘biospherians' and we were honoured that Mark joined us at BlueTech Forum 2020 to share his fascinating story. A renowned international speaker, Mark is also a founding director of the Institute of Ecotechnics and has worked with water, wastewater and natural systems for several decades.Mark was interviewed by Aoife Kelleher, Lead Researcher, Brave Blue World.  Mark shared lessons he learned from his time in Biosphere II around closed loops, connectivity, conservation, isolation and the need to tackle global problems with global cooperation. His research focuses on closed ecological system research, ecological engineering, restoration of damaged ecosystems, and wastewater recycling.Mark is the author of numerous papers and books, including the excellent ‘Wastewater Gardener: Preserving the Planet One Flush at a Time', co-author of a newly published 2nd edition of “Life Under Glass: Crucial Lessons in Planetary Stewardship from 2 years inside Biosphere 2” (Synergetic Press, 2020) and is featured in the new documentary exploring the Biosphere II journey, Spaceship Earth.

Michael Pawlyn is an architect and innovator who has been described as a pioneer of biomimicry. He established his firm Exploration Architecture in 2007 to focus on designing high performance buildings and solutions for the circular economy.Prior to setting up Exploration Michael Pawlyn worked with Grimshaw for ten years and was central to the team that designed the Eden Project. Regularly booked as a keynote speaker on innovation, his TED talk has had over 1.8 million viewings and his book Biomimicry in Architecture has been RIBA Publications' best-selling title. Michael Pawlyn jointly initiated the widely acclaimed Sahara Forest Project; the latest version of which was opened by the King of Jordan in 2017.

In BlueTech's recent web briefing, TAG expert Corina Carpentier presents some of the findings from BlueTech’s latest Horizon Scan on online bacterial monitoring – an update of our 2017 report. There is a significant and growing need for technologies which can quantify and identify bacterial threats at a high standard, and within minutes, rather than the several days which conventional methods can take. A particular need is for sensors focusing on Legionella, which has seen a steep rise of incidents of Legionnaires’ disease in the US (800% since 2000).The report outlines the latest developments in the regulatory landscape as well as a review of the most innovative technologies which will shape the market landscape over the next 5 years.We hope you enjoy this podcast briefing!

BlueTech’s end of year web briefing provided a round-up of the key highlights from research completed in 2019, as well as a look forward to the growth opportunities in 2020 and beyond.In keeping with the Water Almanac theme, the briefing engaged in light-hearted crystal ball gazing including, ‘most likely to exit’, ‘make or break year for’ and ‘rising stars to watch’.Our BlueTech analysts and TAG Experts summarized the most impactful developments and discuss the unifying themes and areas of opportunities that will shape the water industry in the year ahead.We hope you enjoy our podcast briefing!

Welcome everyone to 2020 – the year of 366 days! It has been the start of something new for BlueTech too, towards the end of last year many of you might have heard about the premier of the Brave Blue World documentary. Brave Blue World is the first honest and hopeful documentary that will paint an optimistic picture of how humanity is adopting new technologies and innovations to re-think how we manage water. We have been on an incredible journey to meet with pioneers and innovators who are addressing global water and sanitation challenges. Their stories reveal a hopeful and optimistic future for our most precious resource.For those who weren’t there with us at our Hollywood premier launch in December, we have some snippets of the Hollywood launch we have brought back with us that hopefully captures some moments.We are also looking forward to 2020. What are the big things in water for 2020? Tune in to find out more!

In this months podcast, with the end of year in sight, it is time to stand back and reflect on on what we have seen, heard and talked about and in this episode we will share some of our “big ideas” from 2019. Looking at the water innovation landscape, who will be the rising stars of tomorrow? Who are ‘the new kids on the block ‘and who will come back stronger? For all of this and more, tune in to find out!

Just back from WEFTEC 2019 and for those who have been following us on social media, you would have seen our activities at WEFTEC. In case you haven’t, no worries. You can play back and relive our moments at WEFTEC by clicking on this link: (Kate to provide link). At our breakfast briefing we presented on our latest work on disruptive innovation defining innovation as falling into a ‘market creating’ and/or a ‘market taking’ category. Join Divya Inna as she speaks to BlueTech's CEO Paul O’Callaghan more about this.

Join Divya Inna this month as she speaks to BlueTech Research CEO, Paul O’Callaghan about his recent trip to India to understand how people are dealing with water scarcity and industrial water challenges. The city of Chennai, India’s sixth biggest city, faced devastating floods in 2015 that killed hundreds of people and displaced many more. How does a flood-prone city, 4 years later, run almost entirely out of water?Also, tune in to find out how the local industries have managed to dramatically reduce water pollution and become self-sustaining recovering water and salt! Technologies and applications such as this are “lighting the way” in terms of addressing the challenges of climate change, water scarcity and pollution. Join BlueTech in sharing these positive water messages.

We’ve all heard of superheroes but what about the bad guys – superbugs? What challenges do they pose for the future of medicine, and for wastewater treatment? In this month’s podcast, we are joined by Ana de Almeida, one of the few researchers in this area, who will share updates on what we know and don’t yet know about antibiotic resistant bacteria in wastewater. Also, find out what is happening at this year’s WEFETC conference in Chicago – including what are the top conference papers to look out for this year.

Science and cutting edge technology has helped solve problems, but what do we do when the problem is too big for us engineers and scientists to handle alone? From technology to art, join us for on a journey through two conferences – the 16th annual IWA Leading Edge Conference on Water & Wastewater Technologies and the Life With Water summit hosted by Art Hub Copenhagen. From science to the arts, we discuss everything from the space station & magic bacteria to art and communication in the water sector.

The BlueTech team are heading to the beautiful Kew Gardens this week for our 2019 BlueTech Forum conference and we are lucky to be joined by a group of nearly 200 water professionals from all over the world. In keeping with the wonderful environment of Kew Gardens, this podcast contains some facts and figures about the venue that may come in useful for some pub trivia! Also, this month, we narrate the story of bio-electrochemical systems, a technology largely forgotten but not gone. Once the subject of hype and promise, today is seen as something else. For the few companies that still linger on, is it a question of ‘do something else’ or ‘do something different’?

On this month’s podcast, we talk to industrial end users from key sectors such as Food & Beverage, Brewing and Consumer Goods who share with us their top water innovation needs. In this podcast, Carlsberg, Nestle and Proctor & Gamble identify key innovation challenges in their business, opportunities, and required solutions. You can meet with them and other industrial end users and utilities at BlueTech Forum which takes place on 5th& 6thJune in London’s Kew Gardens.

On this month’s podcast, we provide a framework to classify ‘disruptive innovation’, inspired by Clayton Christensen’s original definition and model of disruptivity. We present four key types of innovation: discontinuous, radical functionality, sustaining and disruptive innovation and their commercial impact. Understanding how the different types of innovations should be commercialized and diffused is useful for those who work to bring innovations to market.

On this month’s podcast, four very different Innovation Showcase companies provide a 1-minute pitch to introduce their technology, its value proposition and the problem it solves. In the lead-up to BlueTech Forum, we hope this will help you pick your favourites so you can learn more from them at their roundtable sessions. We also speak to Rhys Owen on more high-level thematic trends around the sanitation economy and how the granular activated sludge market has surged ahead of our growth expectations on the past two years.

BlueTech joined the stars at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, in which a normally understated Swiss town transforms into a form of travelling road show and cocktail party for the global business and political elite. Join us on this episode where we discuss our discovery that large corporations are, perhaps surprisingly, leading the way in focussing on environmental and sustainability issues and agreeing common standards, in some cases far beyond what any one sovereign regulator would impose. We also delve into the world of sensors, where hardware companies are weighing the advantages and disadvantages of adopting to software-as-a-service (Saas) business models. What does this mean for the future of the industry?

A very Happy New Year and welcome to the first TalkWater episode of 2019! As trailed in our End of Year Web Briefing, BlueTech is about to publish a report on opportunities in Point of Use and water treatment monitoring – an area of increasing interest as newer technologies and products are combining with shifting customer demands to send the market in a new direction. Tyler Algeo, the report’s author, shares some insights on how trends such as companies offering tunable water and awareness of micro-pollutants will affect the market in the coming years.

December is about both endings and beginnings. The BlueTech team have been hard at work the past few weeks planning BlueTech’s editorial calendar for 2019. In this episode we share updates on what we have seen in 2018 and point to thematic shifts in water and trends to track in 2019. We will make reference to insights shared by our TAG team at our end of year webinar 2018 and you can find the recording on our intelligence platform. Sending wishes to you and yours for a beautiful Holiday Season and a peaceful New Year.Merry Christmas from the BlueTech office!

You may familiar with the term FANG stocks, a term coined by Jim Cramer on CNBC’s Mad Money to describe the four biggest tech giants in terms of stock valuations - Facebook, Amazon, Netflix and Google. At BlueTech we took this concept, applied it to water and asked – who are the ‘big four’ investors in water tech? In this month’s podcast, we also review the latest addition to our book club - “Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World—and Why Things Are Better Than You Think.” The book reminds us the importance of verified insights and research and how powerful it can be in changing perception

In October’s podcast, BlueTech explores the opportunities to test for drugs in wastewater using real time sensing and monitoring. The data can be valuable, allowing scientists and law enforcement to quickly track drug use and measure the impact of drug policy strategies; but is it ethical? IOT-based Asset Performance Management (APM) tools are being specifically developed to improve the life of critical assets while reducing ongoing operating costs. TAG member, Judith Herschell Cole, speaks to us about the latest developments in this area.

In this month's podcast, we focus on WEFTEC, one of the water sectors largest conferences, which will take place in October in New Orleans. BlueTech are once again proud to host the Innovation Pavilion at WEFTEC in conjunction with Imagine H20 and WEF. The Pavilion puts the spotlight on water sector innovation and provides access to the leaders and the technologies making it all happen. Our September podcast will focus on some of companies participating this year and outline their technology, what problem it aims to solve and value proposition.

In our August podcast, we speak to Bill Toffey, a member of BlueTech’s Technology Assessment Group, on recent innovations in Sludge Dewatering. Bill specifically investigates opportunities within IoT and looks at how sensors and automatic controls are being used to handle wastewater solids. We also turn our attention to Snipe the sniffer dog, United Utilities latest recruit!

BlueTech Forum 2018 was held on 6th & 7th June in Vancouver. The programme featured a series of thought leadership roundtables, led by prominent industry representatives and BlueTech TAG Experts. These were discussions around key themes including the circular economy, reuse, next generation membranes and point-of-use technologies among many others. We speak with three TAG Experts to provide their takeaways from the discussions they led at the event. We also catch up with Chief Editor, Rhys Owen, on BlueTech’s research highlights for July.

There has been a lot of buzz in recent months about water quality and consumer perception. But ultimately, it all points to the same thing, which is lack of trust in municipal tap quality and the desire for more control over the quality of water consumed. There is a dizzying array of technologies available in the market today, however as a consumer how do I decide which product to go for? Also, Chief Technology Officer of Fluence Corporation, Ronen Shechter shares updates on the merger of RWL Water Group and Israeli company Emefcy and shares updates on their MABR technology.

This month, we speak with Christina Copeland from Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) about what it means to be on the CDP ‘A list’, what drives the companies to disclose their data, and the growing trend of environmental reporting. Additionally, we look at the implications of the upcoming PR19 for the UK water industry and the initiatives undertaken by the UK water utilities to face the change and bridge the divide between innovation and resilience. Paul O’Callaghan, CEO, BlueTech Research, shares his latest insights.