How PREPARED responds to societal challenges in Europe Prof. Riku Vahala Aalto University Finland 1
Content Global megatrends European societal challenges Vision for future Examples of PREPARED responses Conclusions 2
Global megatrends Aarhus, 21 23, January 2014
Population growth and urbanisation Up to 9.3 billion people by 2050 (UN, 2012), dramatic increase in urban and peri-urban areas Increased stress on the environment Health risk of inadequate sanitation and waste management Increase in paved areas Escalating need for food, water supply, sanitation and drainage; infrastructure Shifting dietary preferences, need to reduce food-to-waste 4
Climate change In the past 30 years (1976-2006), drought events had a cost of 100 billion to the European economy The number of European river basins under water scarcity are expected to increase by up to 50% by 2030 Water shortage affects 30 % of Europe s population, equal to 130 million inhabitants (EC 2007) Some of the key issues during the PREPARED conference: How to understand future and manage uncertainties at all levels How to develop resilient and adaptive systems 5
Economic growth Currently, China has the fastestgrowing economy in the world The world-wide turnover of water market amounts to ~250 billion (European: 72 billion ) Improvement and implementation of modern technologies can be expected in water sector Changes in demography - aging population in developed countries BUT 783 million people are still without access to safe drinking water, and 2.5 billion people still lack improved sanitation (WHO & UNICEF 2012) 6
Increasing environmental awareness More extensive and strict legislation can be expected to prevent pollution and control the use of natural resources Reduction of greenhouse gases are expected - water-energy nexus The role of renewable energy sources increases shift from a fossil-fuel economy to a more biobased economy major effect on the water cycle 7
Technological innovations and data explosion Membrane technologies gain popularity in water treatment facilities Water reclamation and reuse technologies develop further and become cheaper and thus more widely adapted Amount of data from the system and the environment has dramatically increased limited amount of it is analysed and thus utilised in our decision-making process => Smart Water 8
European societal challenges Aarhus, 21 23, January 2014
Societal challenges Corresponds to a concern which is shared by citizens across Europe Where a solution cannot be found within in an acceptable timeframe without major technological breakthroughs Share a number of elements, including complexity involved in finding a solution the need for an interdisciplinary approach or the fact that the solution itself not only addresses the challenge, but at the same time generates huge business opportunities. 10
Horizon 2020 focuses on the following societal challenges Health, demographic change and wellbeing; Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research, and the Bioeconomy; Secure, clean and efficient energy; Smart, green and integrated transport; Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials; Europe in a changing world - inclusive, innovative and reflective societies; Secure societies - protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens. http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/h2020-section/societal-challenges 11
Vision for future and the corresponding examples of PREPARED responses Aarhus, 21 23, January 2014
Vision: Quality and security are ensured by Continuous assessment of emerging pollutants and pathogens as well as their environmental behaviour and removal (incl. combined effects) Assessing and managing risks at all levels of the water cycle Removing the targeted compounds and microorganisms from all types of water (drinking water, irrigation water etc.) Monitoring water quality comprehensively using rapid and on-line analytical methods 13
PREPARED: Quality and security are ensured by Real time modelling tool for microbial regrowth in distribution networks (D 1.2.10) a system for distributed real time disinfection control (D 1.2.7) Remedial actions to prevent adverse effects of regrowth in networks at higher temperatures (D 1.2.9) Methodologies for measuring biofilm formation potential in drinking water networks (D 1.2.2a) D5.2.1. - Flood proof wells - Guidelines for the design and operation of water abstraction wells in areas at risk of flooding etc. Responding e.g. to the following societal challenges: Health and wellbeing; Secure societies - protecting security of European citizens 14
Vision: Water cycle is managed in an integrated way by Better understanding of the impacts and interactions of all waterrelated activities Decision support systems On-line monitoring Early warning systems Emergency response plans Better communication and community involvement Adaptive management for climate change More extensive use of aquifer recharge Water-wise bio-based economy Being integral part of sustainable urban planning 15
PREPARED: Water cycle is managed in an integrated way by Decision support system (DSS) for planning complex urban water systems for regions under water stress (D 1.2.1) A planning instrument for CSO impact assessment (D 1.3.4) Integrated real time control of sanitation systems incl. early warning for Water quality in receiving waters (D 1.3.4) Real time integrated monitoring system supporting improved rainfall monitoring (D 1.3.8) Water Cycle Safety Planning (D 1.4.1) Decision support system for the competing uses of source water incl. protection of water intakes (D 1.2.6) etc. Responding e.g. to the following societal challenges: Climate action, environment and resource efficiency; 16
Vision: Demand and supply are balanced by Closing water cycles and re-using water Alternative water resources Rainwater harvesting Stormwater collection Desalination Wastewater reclamation Demand management e.g. Saving water in agriculture, industry and households Detecting, controlling and repairing leakages Effective incentives 17
PREPARED: Demand and supply are balanced by Conceptual scheme of catchment and conservation of water from high flow events (D 1.2.4) Models simulating the effect of alternative price systems and regulation schemes on the demand of water in urban areas to support water resource planning (D 1.2.3) A conceptual scheme for rainwater harvesting and grey water management (D 1.2.5) etc. Responding e.g. to the following societal challenges: Food security and sustainable agriculture 18
Environmental impact is reduced by Resource-efficient water management Effective use of energy and chemicals (advanced control systems etc.) Energy recovery (heat, biogas, etc.) Nutrient recovery from biosolids or incineration ash Leakage control Innovative process concepts Energy-efficient devices (pumps etc.) Control of pollutants at source Producing less waste Reducing the water-based emissions 19
PREPARED Environmental impact is reduced by enhanced real-time measuring and forecasting technologies for combined sewer systems (D 1.3.11) a system for early warning of health risks from faecal contamination in recreational waters (D 1.3.5) D3.1.4 Tests of sensors for the estimation of pollutant concentrations Increasing the capacity of a wastewater treatment plant in Oslo by process transitions during high flows Etc. Responding e.g. to the following societal challenges: Environment and resource efficiency 20
Assets are managed cost-efficiently by Maintaining and replacing the 5.7 M km long network asset at the right moment and at the right place with minimum disturbances to third parties Optimal operation of all the 70 000 WWTPs Better construction materials and replacement technologies Low maintenance and long-lived pipes, pumps and robust processes Climate-adaptive solutions Integrative operation of sewer and WWTPs (incl. capacity) Control of excessive inflows to the separate sewer system 21
PREPARED: Assets are managed cost-efficiently by D1.3.10 Models and knowledge for operation and maintenance of wastewater networks exposed to rapid changes in flow D5.4.2 A planning instrument for an integrated and recipient/impact based CSO control under conditions of climate change D5.4.1. A knowledge base of existing techniques and technologies for sanitation system adaptation D4.5.3a Integrated Real Time Control of Sanitation Systems in Oslo D5.5.2 Adaptive operation of drinking water systems to cope with climate change etc. Responding e.g. to the following societal challenges: Climate action Europe in a changing world - inclusive, innovative and reflective societies; 22
Competitive advance of European water sector is maintained Continuous development of robust and costeffective technological solutions Time from innovation to market is reduced Smart water technologies are in use Solutions are tested for transferability to other sectors and areas of Europe and the world Barriers for innovation are removed Effective policy and management framework Water Stewardship Shifting from a conventional view of waste to a view of resource that can be processed for the raw material or for the recovery of energy 23
PREPARED: Competitive advance of European water sector is maintained D7.3.1 Advocacy strategy D6.1.1 A framework for adapting to climate change in the water and sanitation sector: The case of Wales D5.3.1 Modelling in Oslo D1.2.8 Early warning and distributed disinfection control for water distribution network in Lisbon D1.3.1 Urban risk management plan for Barcelona D 1.3.8 Demonstration of real-time integrated monitoring system supporting improved rainfall monitoring in Aarhus Etc. Responding e.g. to the following societal challenges: Europe in a changing world - inclusive, innovative and reflective societies; 24
Conclusions PREPARED has brough us one step closer to the common vision of the European water sector PREPARED has actively responded to many European societal challenges This conference has been a part of successful dissemination of PREPARED results 25