Two major global technological companies have teamed up with Northumbrian Water for its Innovation Festival 2023.
Technical consultancy, Jacobs, and technology company, Siemens, will be headline sponsors at the renowned event, which aims to drive innovation in the water sector and beyond.
Now in its seventh year, the unique festival brings together professionals, industry experts, scientists and engineers from around the world to explore new ideas and technologies that could change the future of the water industry.
Both Jacobs and Siemens will also each host a problem-solving sprint during the festival, combining cross-sector knowledge from across the globe to develop an actionable solution to a specific challenge.
Jacobs, a global technology-enabled solutions provider of engineering, technical and scientific consulting, and renowned for its emphasis on sustainability, will be focusing on how it can amplify investment in the water sector.
The sprint will look at how water companies can deliver up to £10 billion per year of benefit to the environment and their customers, and do it in the most green, low carbon way possible.
Siemens, a global technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare, will bring unparalleled expertise and technology-driven solutions to the festival partnership.
With the huge impact of rising energy bills and the water sector’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2030, their sprint will explore new ways to generate and store energy, and how data, software and green technologies within a smart network could reduce energy costs.
Angela MacOscar, Head of Innovation at Northumbrian Water, said: "We are delighted to welcome Jacobs and Siemens as the headline sponsors for our exciting Innovation Festival.
"With their innovative ideas and cutting-edge technologies, both organisations will enable our festival goers to access a wealth of knowledge, resources and expertise, pushing the boundaries of what is possible to address the challenges we face. I can’t wait to get started.”
Jacobs Head of Water Europe, Phil Higgins, said: “The Asset Management Period (AMP) 8 cycle faces affordability, scalability and deliverability challenges, which should be viewed as opportunities to find better ways of working. With increased investment in the sector and greater collaboration to standardise our approaches and design better and more efficiently, together we can deliver the best outcomes for our environment, customers and communities.
“The Innovation Festival is an excellent vehicle to foster innovative ideas, enable collaboration and ultimately accelerate solutions for the water sector and beyond.”
The Northumbrian Water Innovation Festival is happening between Monday 10 and Thursday 13 July at Newcastle Racecourse and online. To find out more, and to register, visit www.innovationfestival.org