The SWAN Update - Monthly News from the Smart Water Networks Forum
Dear members and colleagues,
It was a hot month everywhere on the globe, and the SWAN Forum
practically caught fire. Fourty action-packed days around the globe
since our last newsletter. Nothing may be new under the sun, but quite a
lot is new ‘under the SWAN’. The forum has made its North American
debut, the first SWAN US event in Dallas, TX, and the inaugural SWAN Asia event in Singapore.
In between these two regional events, the forum welcomed quite a few
new members. Details on the two events and the new members can be found
in this edition of the newsletter.
One of the new members is IDC Energy Insights. In
this month’s member interview we speak with Rick Nicholson, Group Vice
President, on the findings of the group’s newest smart water market
report, available for download to all SWAN members.
Three additional SWAN events will take place in Asia in the coming
months – a 2-day workshop titled “Water NExT – Network Efficiency meets
Technology” as part of the IWA Congress in Busan,
Korea; a half-day SWAN workshop as part of the Smart Utility Australia
and New Zealand (SUANZ) conference; and a series of SWAN presentations
and discussions as part of the Water Loss Asia conference. We will soon
be announcing the dates of the SWAN UK 2012 conference and working group
meetup, currently planned for November.
A recent Black & Veatch survey on American utilities, and TaKaDu’s
latest survey on global utilities, have identified an increase in
utilities focus on data and data-driven technologies for increased
efficiency. You can read below some of the findings of these two
surveys.
As always, we bring you news and analysis from the smart water front.
We also share with you a few discussion threads from our LinkedIn
group.
Wishing you a cool and calm summer time!
Guy Horowitz
SWAN Forum Chairman
SWAN’s Asian Debut Attracts Over 100 Delegates
On Sunday, July 1st the
SWAN Forum officially kickstarted its Asian activities in a 4-hour
workshop supported by the Singapore Public Utilities Board. Four water
utilities and Four technology companies presented their smart water
network activities, and 2 expert panels highlighted the opportunities
and the challenges facing adoption of data-driven technologies by Asian
utilities.
 Mr. Chew Men Leong, Chief Executive of PUB, noted in his welcome speech:
“One way to strengthen our processes to meet future challenges is
better data collection. More data need to be collected to support
real-time monitoring and control, given the large spatial distribution
of the network. These could include deploying more sensors in the
networks. Firstly, we need to get the right sensors. Then, we need to
place the sensors at the right locations. With the data collected,
analysis software can then help to decipher network conditions and
health. Advanced analytics can also assist in network operations and
predictive maintenance”.
Rik Thijssen from Vitens (Netherlands)
shared with the delegates his company’s vision for the smart water
grid, and the status of the Vitens Innovation Playground project. Mr. Ding Carpio from Manilla Water (Philippines)
presented the utility’s distribution efficiency strategy and
demand-based network management, and the role they played in
transforming Manila Water into an efficient utility (for example, NRW
went down from 63% in 1997 to 11% last year).
Mr. Komet Poempoonchokkana from MWA (Thailand)
presented three data-driven initiatives in MWA (Pressure management,
demand forecasting and water network control) and discussed system
integration as a driver for intelligent water network management. This
was followed by an expert panel, in which all utility representatives
confirmed that their strategy relies in part on their willingness to
test or trial new technologies – at a reduced cost wherever possible.
The generational challenge was also discussed, and utility
representatives shared not only the average age in the utility, but also
internal processes for getting ‘younger blood’ into decision-making
positions.
Solutions providers IBM, ABB and Hitachi who
took stage after the networking break, shared their experience in
getting smart water network technologies to the market, and confirmed
the existence of an innovation financing gap – new technologies’
penetration depends on reducing barriers to entry, of which price is
still a major component. Low appetite for innovation and relatively slow
process of technology adoption in water utilities are offset in Asia
(and elsewhere) by clear need for advanced technologies to address the
challenges.
The workshop was a great start for the forum’s activities in Asia, and
it was immediately followed by SWAN's presence in the Water Expo in
SIngapore. SWAN's booth was 'home away from home' for members and their
guests, showcasing their technologies and holding meetings. But that's
only the beginning - SWAN will be involved with several additional Asian
events in 2012 (see side-bar on SWAN @ IWA Busan). Melchior van Wijlen, Director of SWAN Asia, can be contacted at Melchior@swan-forum.com
You can find all presentations and the welcome speech of Mr. Chew in the SWAN Asia web-page.
SWAN US Event Yields Position Paper, Proposes Way Forward
 On June 12th SWAN held its first US event as part of the AWWA conference (ACE) in Dallas, Texas.
Over 60 industry stakeholders – utilities, solution providers,
consultants and investors – engaged in discussion over the present and
future state of water networks in North America and the activities in
which the industry may engage in order to promote a faster adoption of
data-driven approaches by utilities (and vendors) in the market.
Preceded by four presentations (downloadable from the SWAN US web-page),
four discussion groups engaged in a 90-minute long open conversation.
Discussion leaders produced write-ups which were consolidated into a position paper.
Workshop participants identified several areas where the SWAN Forum can
have significant impact on the adoption of smart water network
technologies in the North American market, and several venues for future
operation are laid out in the position paper, available for download
from the SWAN Forum website.
Rick
Nicholson, IDC Energy Insights: “Adoption rates for smart water network
management solutions will outpace growth rates for smart water
metering”
IDC
Energy Insights, one of the forum’s newest members is IDC Energy
Insights, has recently published a reoprt on the smart water market. The
report features several case studies, and mentions SWAN members Arad
Technologies, Bentley Systems, Cisco, Derceto, Echologics, i2OWater,
IBM, Itron, Pure Technologies, Schneider Electric (Telvent), Sensus,
Siemens, Syrinix and TaKaDu.
In this month’s member interview we speak with Rick Nicholson, Group
Vice President of IDC Energy Insights, on the findings of the smart
water market report, available for download to all SWAN members via this link.
Here is an excerpt from the full interview, available on the SWAN website:
 Rick, can you share with us some of the key conclusions and takeaways of your recent work?
Rick: “The threat of water scarcity or shortages and the need to
manage aging infrastructure are driving water utilities and other
organizations responsible for water supply to consider smart
technology–based solutions to reduce water losses and enable water
conservation. However, current deployment rates of these solutions are
low because of a lack of understanding regarding the business case for
investment, few successful case study examples, issues with technology
availability and maturity, and the fragmented nature of the water
utility market. Water utilities considering whether or not to invest in
smart water solutions must understand the current and projected
capabilities of, the potential benefits and risks associated with, and
the experiences of other utilities in deploying these smart water
solutions.
We believe that […] adoption rates for smart water network management
solutions will outpace growth rates for smart water metering. The
business case for smart water network management solutions is more
straightforward since it does not rely upon changes in consumer behavior
— just the achievement of loss reduction and energy saving targets.
Smart water network management solutions also typically have lower
capital costs since they do not require the replacement or retrofitting
of all customer meters..
the full interview can be found in the interview section on the SWAN website.
Featured Research: Utility Surveys by Black & Veatch, TaKaDu focus on Utility Priorities
Information Technology ranks low on B&V's research; Operational efficiency scores high on TaKaDu's survey
Black
& Veatch’s inaugural “Strategic Directions in the U.S. Water
Utility Industry Report” was published last month. This report serves to
provide insights on the common challenges and opportunities facing the
water and wastewater industry based on the analysis of survey responses
from water utility leaders. The report highlights the relative lack of
importance placed by survey respondents on information technology, in
comparison with other issues. Information technology ranked 9th out
of 10 key issues. Interestingly, top concerns were asset aging, capital
costs, energy costs and expanding regulation – all of which could be
significantly improved through data-driven approaches.
 As
noted in the research, “One activity that would significantly help
utilities more efficiently manage water resources is the collection and
analysis of real-time data through smart infrastructure/grid programs.
Wireless communications offer the potential for greater efficiency as
compared with system elements that operate independently. Immediate
access to the right data moves decision-making closer to real-time and
can greatly improve efficiency within the water industry. Overall,
integrated planning to most effectively manage all utility resources is
becoming one of the most important activities for utilities moving
forward. This requires a holistic evaluation of all assets and resources
using life-cycle analysis to determine the economic impacts of
potential energy reduction and resource recovery actions.
A few weeks ago, TaKaDu has published the initial results from a
global utility survey conducted in the past few months. According to
this survey’s results, utilities worldwide are less concerned with
regulation than the B&V US research reveals, and operational
efficiency seems to be the primary concern of utility executives and
staff.
B&V’s research and TaKaDu’s preliminary survey results are available on the SWAN website. Members of water utilities wishing to comment or elaborate on the findings of these reports are invited to do so via a short follow-up survey.
News from SWAN Members
American Water receives Water Research Foundation grant for backflow monitoring project
July 10, 2012
 American
Water has received a grant from the Water Research Foundation to
conduct a joint research project with Utah State University to measure
the frequency of backflow through residential water meters.
The project is titled, “Case Studies to Identify Occurrence, Accuracy
and Causative Factors of Reverse Flow as Measured by Meters.” The total
value of the project is nearly $650,000. American Water will directly
receive $202,000 to pay for research costs.
“We are pleased that the Water Research Foundation has provided the
opportunity to examine this important research topic,” said Dr. Orren
Schneider, Senior Environmental Engineer for American Water’s Innovation
and Environmental Stewardship department. “By examining and quantifying
the rate of residential backflow occurrence we will be better able to
determine if there are any associated public health risks. This project
will also enable us to develop methods to monitor and fix the causes of
these backflow events.”
Typically water flows from the water distribution pipe through the
water meter into residential premises. “Backflow” occurs when the water
flows backwards through the meter from the home into the drinking water
system. Backflow is a concern because any contaminants in the household
plumbing could be drawn back into the drinking water system.
American Water is partnering with Steven Barfuss, Research Assistant
Professor, Utah Water Research Laboratory at the Utah State University,
to monitor the occurrence of backflow as reported by “intelligent” water
meters and to determine the accuracy of these meters as they flow in
reverse. The water industry will benefit from this research by
understanding how often water flow in residences reverses itself and
ways to investigate and mitigate these occurrences.
The project team will consist of Dr. Schneider as Principal
Investigator, with American Water Research Manager David Hughes, and
Utah State’s Mr. Barfuss, as Co-Principal Investigators.
Itron and Siemens part of Envision Charlotte’s “Smart Water Now” Program
July 10, 2012
 Itron,
Siemens, CH2M Hill and Verizon announced that Envision Charlotte - a
unique public-private initiative that leverages sustainability for
economic growth as a model for all communities - is launching its second
model program, Smart Water Now. Smart Water Nowsm is a water
measurement and efficiency program that will follow the
first-of-its-kind Smart Energy Now program already underway.
Envision Charlotte and the City of Charlotte are collaborating with
leading solution providers to design and install the system. CH2M Hill
is managing the entire project; Itron is providing water communication
modules, the network infrastructure, cloud services and data
aggregation; and Verizon will gather the water usage data from a network
of machine-to-machine (M2M) devices and transport near real-time
information to kiosks utilizing its 4G LTE network. Siemens is providing
project support.
Building occupants can track the city’s progress on interactive
kiosks, smart phones and web sites along with existing energy
information. The design has been established, the downtown surveys have
begun and Envision Charlotte expects to have its new program in place in
the fall of 2012.
“These solution providers are demonstrating innovation and leadership
by providing their expertise, technology and services to help us create
models for communities anywhere in the world,” said Tom Shircliff,
Chairman, Envision Charlotte. “The teamwork between our partners is
unparalleled.”
Like its sister program for energy, Smart Water Now will aggregate
information into a single number representing the total uptown usage,
then drive awareness and behavior change to reduce consumption. The
results will lower operational costs, improve sustainability, engage
occupants and contribute to the overall value proposition of working and
living in Center City. “Our Center City offers one of the most
compelling cases in the country for attracting business and talent and
this Envision Charlotte program adds another significant facet,” said
Michael Smith, Chairman and CEO, Charlotte Center City Partners.
The City of Charlotte and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility
Department (CMUD) support Envision Charlotte’s vision and play a
foundational role in the initiative. “Envision Charlotte is creating a
model for communities and demonstrating the link between sustainability
and growth,” said Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, who pushed for the
initiative’s creation. “I applaud the leadership and innovation from our
utility and the solution partners with whom they are working. Charlotte
is the first city in the world to endeavor to reduce the carbon
footprint of its central business district and together we are working
to make Center City Charlotte the most environmentally sustainable
center city on the planet.”
CH2M Hill is managing the entire project, in which Itron is providing
water communication modules, the network infrastructure, cloud services
and data aggregation.“Itron is pleased to participate in this
innovative program. Working collaboratively—cities, utilities,
governments, private sector businesses and technology partners—we can
transform the way the energy and water is consumed and managed,” said
Mark deVere-White, senior vice president, of Itron North America. “As
smart city initiatives, like Charlotte’s, continue to expand, the
convergence of energy and water data under a unified, common platform
will simplify this transformation and help shape a sustainable future.”
Verizon will gather the water usage data from a network of
machine-to-machine (M2M) devices and transport near real-time
information to kiosks utilizing its 4G LTE network, and Siemens is
providing project support. “Siemens is pleased to collaborate with all
the partners associated with this forward-thinking and innovative
project,” said Dave Hopping, vice president and Business Unit Lead for
Siemens Building Technologies Division. “Since the National League of
Cities forum last September we have increasingly realized the need to
use Catawba River water resources more efficiently. The Water Pillar
goals perfectly align with Siemens expertise in helping building owners
reduce energy and water consumption. Helping to create the Smart Water
Now™ network is the logical first step and provides a laboratory for an
innovative solution.”.
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