Vodafone's head of innovation Danny Kelly tells Utility Week about its new software platform that he says will allow water companies to combine data from both new hardware and legacy assets to create smarter networks.
South Staffs has secured government funding of £10 million under the Green Recovery Challenge that enabled it to upgrade its largest water treatment plant to a ceramic filtration system that will save around 1,000 tonnes carbon annually. The company plans to invest around £55 million upgrading two treatment works during AMP7.
Portsmouth has begun a smart meter trial ahead of a wider rollout during AMP8. Water efficiency manager Lianne Riggs told Utility Week customers are less interested in saving money because bills are low but environmental messages do resonate.
The judging panel for the main competition within Ofwat's innovation fund has been named with eight people chosen from industry, academia, R&D and beyond the water sector. The competition is designed to encourage innovative ideas, collaboration and sharing of risk to develop projects.
Yorkshire Water, with the University of York, has begun work on a research hub to improve efficiency of wastewater treatment and extract value from sludge processing while working towards its 2030 net zero carbon ambitions
Affinity Water will measure and report on its non-operational emissions from next year as it sets out plans to be carbon negative for scopes one two and three emissions by 2030. Nature-based solutions and developing a blue carbon finance framework are included in the plans.
Experts explore the importance of data in both identifying and supporting vulnerable customers during the ongoing cost of living crisis as well as the prevalence of ‘digital vulnerability’.
Skewb Climate managing director Ruta Blazeviciute explains how collaboration between the digital education firm and utilities are levelling up climate and social outreach among the next generation via bespoke video games.
The fourth industrial revolution, with widespread rollout of the so-called Internet of Things, has been well publicised and long anticipated. There can be little doubt that, with UK utilities and their supply chain partners under increasing pressure to deliver more for less, smart devices that generate actionable insight are a must-have.
Pan-utility experts outlined how they’ve adapted to cost and customer outcome pressures alongside changing approaches to staff engagement, productivity and happiness triggered by Covid-19.
Water sector stakeholders explore how the industry is already harnessing nature-based solutions – such as reed beds and integrated constructed wetland – to treat wastewater amid stretching new AMP7 targets and environmental scrutiny.
Yorkshire Water will join forces with Hydraulic Analysis and Morrisons Water Services to roll out leakage and digital twin technology across major towns and cities as part of a £28 million effort to halve leakage by 2050.
Advances in leakage reduction innovation have focused on awareness and location but preventing leaks and repairing the pipes still needs greater focus. That was according to a panel of industry experts at Utility Week Live 2022 who discussed case studies and benefits of digital twins.
Martin Richardson, water framework manager at ABB, explains how variable speed drives (VSDs) represent a cost-effective way to make fast progress on the water industry’s Net Zero targets.
Not including smart water meters in PR24 business plans would represent a “missed opportunity” to reduce consumption and leakage, according to Arqiva. Peter Baker, director of smart utilities networks at the telecommunications company, said smart meters have already been shown to be effective at identifying leaks and encouraging consumers to lower their water usage, adding: "It doesn’t all have to be policy and mandates – the cost and consumption benefits are clear to be seen.”
Utility Week Live 2022 returned to deliver its biggest content programme ever, with more than 2,200 people attending to watch a host of fascinating sessions and engage with innovative exhibitors.
On the back of Utility Week Live 2022, Utility Week editor James Wallin sat down with Aimie Chapple, Capita Experience CEO, to gauge her thoughts on the challenges discussed over the two days and solutions presented.
Craig Hopkinson, sustainability manager at Anglian Water’s Strategic Pipeline Alliance – and Water Industry Award Rising Star nominee – talks through the role of nature-based solutions in addressing a wide range of crises.