Implementation of Integrated Solutions by cities, industries, utilities and financiers: from cases to bankable projects
The main theme of the AIWW Conference 2019 is ‘Implementation of Integrated Solutions by cities, industries, utilities and financiers: from cases to bankable projects.’ At the AIWW Conference leading innovators from municipal operators, industrial system developers, utilities and production chain designers will discuss the ambitious task to improve water system management. Together with municipal and industrial leaders and investors they will rethink the institutional approach to water system management with special attention for a circular water economy and climate change adaptation. The main AIWW Conference theme is defined in the following four sub themes.
Energy transition and resource recovery
Circular business models open the way to incorporate multiple principles for value creation. Beyond financial values, also environmental and social values are taken into account. Advanced integrated solutions to complex challenges are needed to create impact on resource recovery and energy transition for a better climate and to realize the SDG’s for a better-balanced world. This theme also focusses on how to structure projects and make them bankable?
Topics:
- Financial models for circular solutions
- Thermal and kinetic energy and aquatic biomass solutions
- Creating value out of wastewater
- Renewing infrastructure for a circular approach
Integrating water and resource management
Worsening droughts and polluted water sources call for improved planning and decision-making processes, better coordination and sustainable use of resources while minimizing conflicts among users. There is a need for increased cooperation among resource user groups to balance the economic, environmental and social needs of society. In addition there is a need for integrating water solutions in innovative ways and for a common understanding and appreciation of benefits in local catchments, cities and/or industrial zones. Challenges of emerging concern are contaminants, recreation related to urban water and a growing need for food production. Part of the solution can be found in the area of: a river basin approach, open data, improved collaboration with local (public and private) stakeholders and alignment with local public policy objectives.
Topics:
- Financing models for Integrating Water and Resource Management
- Resource recovery and local markets
- Pollution pressure and smart water allocation
- River basin approach and nature based solutions
Conference registration is now open (4-5 Nov)
The AIWW Conference invites everyone involved in the implementation of integrated solutions by cities, industries, utilities and financiers to join us in Amsterdam on 4 and 5 November 2019.
ICT & Data: artificial intelligence and smart robotica
New ICT & Data solutions can be a game changer in water management and offer huge opportunities to combine data with artificial intelligence and smart robotica. Digital solutions are the key drivers for innovation in the water sector to cope with challenges like creation of new services, need for new competences and management tools.
Topics:
- Data management and co-creation
- Smart operations and asset management
- Artificial intelligence: new services & efficiency
- Cyber security: how to keep our infrastructure secure?
Blue-Green solutions for (urban) resilience
Growing challenges of climate change ask for continued collaboration to build more resilient communities. Innovative solutions can be found in the area of: (i) next generation green flood inundation maps; (ii) resilient critical (green) infrastructures & aligning (urban) objectives; (iii) protecting existing infrastructure and other capital and social assets by building resilient and blue-green solutions to extreme weather events and increased variability.
Topics:
- Financing models for blue-green solutions
- Inclusive city master plan: design, build, reuse, finance
- Building more resilient communities
- Resilient critical infrastructure
From cases to bankable projects – cross-cutting topics:
A key and cross-cutting theme for the AIWW 2019 is: bankability. We need to unpack the exact challenges and opportunities for investors and financiers interested in financing the big water actors and their projects.
There will be special attention for:
- Project development
- The distinction between different types of project finance
- Best practices in financing blue-green and/or circular solutions and technical innovation
- Risk management and monitoring and valuing water using the natural capital concept
Last but not least, the AIWW Conference 2019 will be facilitating case-based matchmaking between the water sector and finance sector.