13 minute read
Seven Questions for Rudy Dijkstra
Rudy (middle), Water Alliance’s Hein Molenaar (left) and Robbert Lodewijks in Singapore
7 Questions for Rudy Dijkstra
Who are you, and what do you and your company do?
I am Rudy Dijkstra, CEO of Acquaint. Acquaint develops hardware and software to determine the quality of drinking water and wastewater pressure lines and predict when they will fail.
Why is that good for the world?
Anticipating ageing infrastructure is the top priority for the Western world. Consider this: somewhere between thirty and sixty per cent of all drinking water produced is lost to leakages during transportation or distribution. That problem is only going to get worse as water scarcity increases. We can prevent new leaks and increase the efficiency of the available personnel.
Can you name two examples where your involvement in the Water Campus has been good for you?
Acquaint owes a lot to Wetsus’ Smart Water Grids research theme. We are actively participating in four ongoing studies here. We also regularly work with the Water Alliance when it comes to export.
You recently travelled to Singapore with the Water Alliance. What was your goal?
Our goal was market exploration and orientation regarding potential operating partners, as well as holding talks with water companies from Asia and the Pacific.
How do you look back on it?
It was highly successful. We had good meetings with concrete results that exceeded our expectations. I definitely expect to come back here. The Water Alliance also introduced us to the Water Company of Singapore, which was very inspiring!
You heard via an online connection that you had won the Leeuwarder HET entrepreneurial prize while in Singapore. How was that? ‘Út de skroeven’, as they say in Friesland. It was three in the morning here, and we were anxiously waiting for the announcement. There was an incredible surge of emotion when we finally heard we had won.
Let your business desires run wild for a moment: where will you be in three years?
We will be active on every continent.
Acquaint’s Douwe Kooistra (left) receiving the HET prize from alderman Abel Reitsma. Photo Simon v.d. Woude
The Netherlands and water are inextricably linked, but water availability is a major challenge worldwide and technological innovations can provide solutions. This was the underlying reason for ‘De Blauwe Motor’ [the blue engine]—a consortium of numerous Dutch parties, including WaterCampus partners such as Wetsus, Centre of Expertise Water Technology (CEW) and Water Alliance— to submit a ‘Water Technology Growth Plan’ to the Dutch government. In late April, the Dutch government demonstrated that it also takes the challenges, social relevance and economic opportunities very seriously. The decision was made to set aside 135 million euros of the ‘National Growth Fund’ for the water technology growth plan.
Jantienne van der Meij Photo Lucas Kemper
working hard for water availability
Millions for water technology
“For the record, a reservation has been made”, emphasizes Water Alliance director Hein Molenkamp. “In the coming months, it will become clearer if, how and where the money will actually be spent.” But first, let’s briefly explain the core idea of the Water Technology Growth Plan: joining forces in the Netherlands to maintain sufficient clean water for consumers, businesses, agriculture and nature. The plan covers the entire ecosystem, from research, development and implementation to national and international valorization. The requested adjustments and supporting documentation will be delivered In the coming period to enable the definitive award, which is expected by the end of this year.
at the drawing board together
Parties such as KWR, Stowa, Waterschap Vechtstromen, TKI Watertechnologie, and Royal HaskoningDHV are actively involved, along with Wetsus, the CEW, Centre of Expertise Water Technology and Water Alliance, all three of which operate from WaterCampus Leeuwarden. This level of broad collaboration is unique, according to Jantienne van der Meij, director of the Topconsortium voor Kennis en Innovatie (TKI) Watertechnologie earlier. “In the Netherlands, the water sector has traditionally been divided among many parties. Water suppliers, businesses, research institutions and governments can improve their cooperation further. If we are serious about tackling increasing drought and water pollution, we must develop integrated solutions. By taking a seat at the drawing board together at an early stage, we can achieve sustainable, circular and, in turn, future-proof water availability from which the sector can also earn a good living through exports.”
The urgency to start such an impressive collaborative venture is great, according to Van der Meij. “Water shortages are becoming more common due to climate change, increasing water demand and pollution. Industrial companies face cooling water shortages, and farmers face soil dehydration or groundwater salinization, and nature suffers more and more from the declining water level.”
The Water Technology Growth Plan contains large and small-scale solutions for all these problems. Solutions include efficient use of water in production processes, early detection of leakage in pipelines, or recovery of residues, energy and water. Another key aspect is the relevance to and proper coordination with other sectors, such as agriculture, horticulture, food, health and energy. Molenkamp explains why this overarching approach is important. “Water is vital for everyone. Water shortage affects all sectors, so it’s fantastic that this is being approached from such an overarching angle. Not only to solve the problem faster, but also to improve the international marketing of the combined knowledge and expertise our knowledge institutions and companies have to offer.”
from knowledge to cash
Export opportunities are looming on the horizon, according to the Water Alliance director: “Government, knowledge institutions and businesses will strike gold if they continue to work together systematically. WaterCampus Leeuwarden is a good example of that. This ambitious Water Technology Growth Plan will also lead to solutions to challenges that other countries are struggling with, making it an important stimulus for economic growth and export opportunities in the Netherlands. It creates additional employment, secures the business climate for companies, and presents opportunities for the export-oriented Dutch water technology sector. The involvement of market participants in the broad coalition secures the flow from knowledge to skill to cash.”
NATIONAL GROWTH FUND
The National Growth Fund (NGF) is an initiative by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Change and the Ministry of Finance. The fund is intended to make public investments that contribute to the sustainable earning capacity of the Netherlands. The National Growth Fund was established in 2020 and is intended for one-off public investments. The government is allocating €20 billion for projects between 2021 and 2025 as part of the National Growth Fund.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CHECK: DEBLAUWEMOTOR.NL
new mem- ber
rainmate® by blue innovations: collecting rainwater in building facades
Reduced flooding and heat stress, more urban greenery
John van de Wetering and his company, Blue Innovations (based in the village of Batenburg, near Nijmegen), are investigating the possibilities of storing and utilizing rainwater in building facades in cities. This will protect against the risks of flooding while offering interesting opportunities to make buildings more attractive and improve the quality and livability of public spaces.
Around 40% of the surface area of Dutch cities is built up, according to Van de Wetering. The natural infiltration capacity of inner cities is limited, and cities warm up faster and cool down slower. “With higher temperatures and more rainwater, waterlogging and heat stress are becoming increasingly problematic. Buildings are the main cause of climate change’s impact in cities.” Blue Innovations devised a system that turns the problem into an opportunity. “If you can store and utilize rainwater runoff from building roofs in the facade of those buildings, it provides cooling and protection from the risks of flooding. It also offers interesting opportunities to make buildings more attractive through green facades, improving both the quality and livability of the public space. Cities have relatively little room for more greenery, but building facades still offer ample opportunity for a lot of additional square meterage of urban greenery.”
out of the box
in and permanent greening of facades. The system is interesting for both new and existing buildings, states Van de Wetering. “The options for good solutions for existing structures are often too expensive and complicated. The system we have developed is quite the opposite.” The system, he continues, is the result of out-of-thebox thinking. His different way of thinking stems from his education in architecture and urban design at TU Delft. “I looked at the problem from the perspective of a designer. Instead of expensive technology, I envisioned a simple solution applicable to many buildings. That was the approach.” He is now discussing pilots of the system with the municipality of Rotterdam. Van de Wetering hopes to find partners who can integrate his technology into their systems. “Our ambition is not to build green facades ourselves—that’s a skill in itself.”
quality of life
In addition to greenery’s contribution to water balance and ambient temperature, research shows that a green environment also increases the quality of life for people and
The Netherlands
Batenburg
animals. Patients recover faster in a green environment, residents of green neighbourhoods use health care facilities less often, employees of businesses in green environments feel more comfortable, and a network of urban greenery is good for biodiversity. Van de Wetering argues for a common plan in light of these different qualities. “It is important for the greening of cities that the chain of water managers, developers, architects and businesses realize that greenery is essential to the quality of life in a city and that you can enhance it through smart storage and smart use of rainwater.” What he loves about being an entrepreneur and scientist is translating a somewhat abstract idea into a concrete answer to a social problem. “It is a combination of thinking and doing. I find it fascinating. It is extremely satisfying when your search finally leads to technology that makes something new possible.”
don’t miss this!
EUROPEAN WATER TECHNOLOGY WEEK 2022
The second European Water Technology Week (EWTW 2022) has been eagerly awaited by many in the water technology world and is approaching fast. Scientists, entrepreneurs, innovators, various international cluster organisations and the government will gather in Leeuwarden from 19 to 22 September for a programme that can best be described as impressive. EWTW 2022 includes the Wetsus Congress 2022, a meeting of the Global Water Tech Hub Alliance, an international business programme (initiated by Water Alliance) and a networking floor where companies can present themselves.
‘At the EWTW, companies, knowledge institutes and governments from all over the world come together to discuss innovation in water technology,’ explains Johannes Boonstra, managing director of Wetsus (the ‘European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology,’ ed.). Hein Molenkamp from the Water Alliance adds: ‘The previous edition attracted over 1,000 participants from 35 countries with varying backgrounds; an extremely interesting network.’ Jeroen Rijnhart, director of the Centre of Expertise Water Technology (CEW), is also enthusiastic about the broad support base. ‘Researchers, technology developers, end users and policy makers from all over Europe come together at the EWTW: a fantastic group of people.’ Boonstra emphasises the extensive programme and international character of the event. ‘The conference programme is broad and focuses on innovation—from science to business development—as well as on talent development and policy for societal challenges. Companies will also be able to meet on the networking floor, which will have the feel of a trade fair environment. Conference attendees will be able to network and exchange knowledge with exhibitors.’
The Wetsus director says that after two years of corona it is high time to meet, talk and inspire each other again. ‘A lot of people have missed exchanging knowledge and ideas. And also maintaining and expanding their networks.’ Hein Molenkamp, director of Water Alliance, fully agrees. ‘The water technology sector is a world full of innovation. And that’s desperately needed if we are to meet the global challenges of increasing water scarcity. Making processes more sustainable often involves major investments. It is, therefore, essential that the parties know and trust each other. For that reason alone, it is good that we can meet face to face again. The 2022 edition will also have many participants from cluster organisations around the world who are interested in Dutch innovations and companies.’ Rijnhart also sees a good opportunity for ‘his’ CEW: ‘CEW is the link between theory and practice and, therefore, fits in very well at EWTW. Companies that see opportunities in the scientific discoveries that are presented at EWTW can approach us directly to set up practical research.’
Be a part of EWTW2022. Sign up here!
european water technology week 2022
A SELECTION FROM THE PROGRAMME
Updates to the programme, plus all of the latest information on locations, accommodation and much more, can be found on the EWTW website (the link is below this article, ed.). Here is a summary of the programme:
Monday, 19 September sees the kick-off of the EWTW. The Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, Mark Harbers, and Thecla Bodewes, chairman of Water & Maritime Top Sector will be among those present at the kick-off on Monday, 19 September. Also on Monday: the presentation of the ‘Marcel Mulder Award’. This prize from Wetsus honours the professor of Sustainable Water Technology and Membrane Technology at the University of Twente, who passed away far too soon in 2002. Mulder was the initiator of Wetsus. In his memory, an annual prize is presented to the Wetsus researcher who has delivered the most extraordinary performance in the field of water technology in the past year. The afternoon programme includes: Connecting international clusters and innovations and the pitches for the WIS Award, the innovation stimulation prize from the Water Alliance. The public prize will be announced, and the WIS Award final will take place on Wednesday afternoon.
Tuesday, 20 September offers a full programme of plenary sessions and parallel sessions on topics such as Smart Dehydration & Food Technology, Social Sciences & Water, Soil Biome, Policy Developments to Prevent the Spread of Antibiotic Resistance, Natural Water Production, Colloid Physics in Water Technology and Nano Plastics & Plastic Recyclers.
Wednesday, 21 September will see a range of topics in which water technology and business intersect. Topics include: antibiotic resistance and biodegradable plastics. Also on Tuesday: the finals of Wetskills Nederland 2022, where students and young professionals solve a water challenge, and the finals of the WIS Award 2022. Something else worth mentioning: the organisation is currently working hard to put together an interesting excursion programme on Thursday, 22 September for EWTW guests who wish to attend. This is an excellent opportunity to get to know extremely interesting locations, innovations and the people behind all these developments while you are here.
Updates? Visit: ewtw2022.eu
EUROPEAN WATER TECHNOLOGY WEEK 2022 CONNECTING GLOBAL WATER TECH HUBS
19-22 SEPTEMBER 2022 WESTCORD WTC LEEUWARDEN THE NETHERLANDS
