Agenda

The goal of this section will be to get beyond the marketing hype.  Smart systems are seeing steady adoption in the electric grid, but is the same true for water? If so, what are the key applications being deployed in the field? If not, what are the impediments to growth.  Our discussion will allow us all to explore ways that smart metering, leak detection, pressure regulation, water quality monitoring, and other smart tools may help utilities in the future and the type of standards, technology collaboration, and business models that are needed to move this market in a substantial way. 

Wrapping up our conversation on Day #1, we will tackle the financing challenges faced by the water sector. With municipal budgets tightening around the world, who will pay for innovation? From project finance needed for the construction of large municipal facilities to equipment financing needed by end users for the deployment of conservation technology, gaps and opportunities abound. What can the water industry learn from financing models established in solar, energy efficiency, and other cleantech markets?

A discussion hosted by Top 50 Judges will give a firsthand perspective on evaluating the most promising early-stage water technology companies worldwide and what it will take to succeed in the world markets.

From enhanced oil recovery to drilling and well stimulation, water is an increasingly crucial component of oil and gas exploration. With the growth of the U.S. shale gas industry and the Canadian oil sands region, water constraints are emerging as a major obstacle to commercial productivity. How can innovation produce both environmentally responsible and commercially profitable answers? How can Oil & Gas companies achieve competitive differentiation through sustainability?

Growth for the beverage industry is disproportionally expected to come from emerging markets. How can major brands grow in India and China if their reputations for being responsible stewards of precious water resources are at risk? What can companies do to reduce the “virtual water” embedded in their products and in doing so gain the trust of local communities? How can companies ensure reliable access to clean and consistent water – a critical ingredient to all beverage products?

More than 65% of our fresh water is used in agriculture and efficient food production for an increasingly urban population. This presents a great opportunity to address two key issues in water: dwindling water resources and deteriorating water quality. Potential solutions have varied with increases in water pricing, the onset of water and nutrient trading markets, and the promise of enhanced crop yields, all of which have caused a new generation of farmers to pay more attention to water. We will explore the wave of innovation targeted to agriculture and acknowledge differences across the globe based on wealth, weather, and the pricing of water.