Waterwhelm has been selected by OFWAT as one of 20 finalists, out of 240 applications, to be a part of its £4 million Water Discovery Challenge. The Challenge recognises, and accelerates, bold and ingenious innovation to solve the water sectors biggest challenges. It is an 18-month competition that brings together highly innovative technology solutions, such as from Waterwhelm, with both financial and non-financial support packages. Through this exclusive competition Waterwhelm will have access to experts from the water sector, as well as business development experts. The Challenge also involves a sector-led mentoring programme that Waterwhelm will fully utilise to further embed itself within the water sector community.
Waterwhelm’s winning application enables its low grade heat project, titled; An innovative membrane technology for brackish and sea water desalination powered by low-grade waste heat. Waterwhelm has already established its high grade heat technology system at a major wastewater treatment site in Scotland. Now, through its forward osmosis engineering experience, it will apply its system design to a low grade heat system. This will facilitate adoption of Waterwhelm’s forward osmosis technology in the water sector, and across sectors, where there are large amounts of low grade heat available for use. The project aligns with several current water sector challenges, here, identified by OFWAT as; Delivering long-term operational resilience, Protecting & enhancing the environment, Responding and adapting to climate change, and Testing new ways of conducting core activities.
