Ecosystem services are defined as services provided by nature to humans. This straightforward definition suggests a passive role for humans as receivers of the outputs of nature. However, there is also an active role for people to play in providing these services. Continue reading “How can humans contribute to ecosystem services?”
Floating wind farms: A new dimension to offshore wind energy
It is hard to deny that the demand and need for more energy is growing at a rapid pace on a global scale. As a result of this, throughout the past couple of decades, different methods and solutions have been deployed to crack energy supply challenges. Especially renewable energy sources, such as wind power and solar energy, stands out as ways to reduce the impact fossil fuels have on global warming. Continue reading “Floating wind farms: A new dimension to offshore wind energy”
How real-time modelling supports a proactive water network operation
With rapid urban population growth, water utilities worldwide are more than ever facing pressing challenges to preserve the hydraulic perfomance and water quality of already strained water distribution networks and infrastructure. Continue reading “How real-time modelling supports a proactive water network operation”
An expert perspective: Discovering the importance of early warning systems in drought management
Droughts are impacting countries and climate all over the world. Australia is currently experiencing droughts which are so severe, that areas corresponding to the size of Denmark and Belgium combined, have burst in to flames and almost half a billion animals are affected – making it one of the worst droughts in decades. Continue reading “An expert perspective: Discovering the importance of early warning systems in drought management”
Satellites and offshore wind farms? A match made in space
With an increasing number of satellites launched in recent years and advances in the image analysis methods, remote sensing data has proven itself as a cheap and very valuable source of information for planning, construction and monitoring of offshore wind farms (OWF). Continue reading “Satellites and offshore wind farms? A match made in space”
Five major challenges and opportunities impacting the Water Industry in the years to come
2020 marks the start of not just a new year, but a fresh new decade – a perfect time to reflect upon what is coming and prioritise where to focus efforts next.
The Water Industry will most likely endure several changes in the years to come due to rapid urbanisation, severe climate changes, rising customer demands and the implementation of emerging digital technologies. These changes will leave the industry with a complex set of challenges that should be addressed and adopted to in order to stay competitive. Continue reading “Five major challenges and opportunities impacting the Water Industry in the years to come”
Wastewater treatment: How can Digital Twin modelling play a crucial role in WWTP operations?
Digitalisation is a term and process that is frequently stumbled upon in business settings. At its core, one could argue that digitalisation refers to the use of digital technologies to provide new valuable and important opportunities. But, how does digitalisation play a role in the operation of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs)? Which positive impacts can digitalisation have on the Water Industry? Continue reading “Wastewater treatment: How can Digital Twin modelling play a crucial role in WWTP operations?”
Why an integrated approach is the key to unlocking value in urban water management
Today, cities all over the world are dealing with a range of global pressures such as rapid urban growth, severe climate changes and aging infrastructure to provide safe and resilient water supply, collect sewage, secure a minimum spill of untreated water and reduce risks of flooding. Because of these challenges, cities experience difficulties in finding efficient and sustainable ways to manage water. Continue reading “Why an integrated approach is the key to unlocking value in urban water management”
Water distribution: How new technologies can help preserve and improve drinking water quality
As water is seen as one of the world’s most precious resources, providing enough water with appropriate quality and quantity may be considered as one of the most important challenges in human history.
The world is, as we speak, experiencing serious growth in urban population. This, together with water scarcity and shortage due to climate changes, are creating massive challenges for urban water management. Continue reading “Water distribution: How new technologies can help preserve and improve drinking water quality”
How Cloud solutions can help cities predict flash floods more accurately
Heavy rainfall and floods impose considerable consequences to communities and infrastructure, resulting in death or injury, affecting livelihood, damaging roads, property, water networks and more.
According to a United Nations report, in the ten years from 1995 to 2015, floods accounted for 43% of all documented natural disasters, affecting 2.3 billion people, killing 157,000 and causing US$662 billion in damage. The UNESCO World Development Report further states that climate change, increasing population, loss of wetlands and rising sea levels are expected put 2 billion people at risk of flood disasters by 2050. Continue reading “How Cloud solutions can help cities predict flash floods more accurately”