Smart Innovations for Water: TKI Matchmaking Event Brings Stakeholders Together

The event was opened and chaired by Arjan Braamskamp of the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP). He emphasised that the TKI programme plays an important role in connecting stakeholders, stimulating innovation and accelerating the exchange of knowledge.

Petra Wicherink (PhotonicsNL) and Ivana Sersic Vollenbroek (BOM) then introduced the audience to the world of photonics. They explained what photonics entails, how light-based technologies can be used to perform highly precise measurements, and why this technology is becoming increasingly significant for the water sector. Petra Wicherink said: “Photonics is playing an increasingly important role in the water industry, offering fast, accurate and non-destructive methods for monitoring, detection and quality control.”

Subsequently, André Mepschen (Water Alliance) and Bert Offereins (WSP) outlined the concrete challenges faced by water utilities and industry, such as climate change, stricter regulations and increasing pressure on water quality and discharge standards. Bert Offereins: “We only realise the value of water when it’s no longer there.”

Image 1. The morning programme featured several presentations on photonics in the water sector.

Ruixuan Qi and Dhyana C. Bharathan (Wetsus) presented ongoing research in which photonics is applied within concrete water innovations. They showed how research is increasingly shifting towards integrated and scalable solutions.

Joep van den Broeke (KWR) presented the roadmap for sensing in water quality management, a framework for developing better and more scalable water quality monitoring. He demonstrated which technologies show promise and how data can support targeted interventions, reliable decision-making and collaboration across the sector. Joep van den Broeke: “With this roadmap, we’re trying to pinpoint where the bottlenecks are.”

In-depth discussions and concrete next steps

In the afternoon, participants continued in three roundtable sessions, each focused on a key theme within the innovation chain.

At the table ‘Real-time water quality monitoring’, chaired by Bert Offereins, participants discussed the growing need for real-time water quality data. At the same time, it became clear that affordability, reliability and scalability remain major challenges. Participants stressed the importance of joint development and a standardised basic architecture to accelerate implementation.

The ‘From Lab to Practice’ table, led by Kees Roest (KWR), explored how research results can be translated into real-world application. Successful implementation depends not only on technological quality, but also on governance, financing, market insight and standardisation. Kees Roest: “When end users with a challenge, technology suppliers, service providers with solutions and research institutes work together – supported by funding – we can take real steps towards applying all these impressive technologies.”

Guided by Joep Appels (Microlan), the ‘Smart combinations: data, sensors and control’ table focused on linking sensor systems to data flows, smart analytics and process automation. Joep Appels: “We want to use sensors to establish a sustainable and efficient way of producing data.”

Image 2. Afternoon roundtable sessions focused on key themes in the innovation chain.

Participant Samira Ehsani (Versa Solution):“It was inspiring to see so many smart, open-minded professionals from water utilities, industry, research and technology come together during the TKI Matchmaking Event. The combination of water quality, photonics and data/AI clearly shows that the sector is becoming increasingly data-driven and is using sensor data in practical ways. It’s fantastic to see such concrete thinking about connecting sensors, photonics and analytics into solutions that genuinely work in practice.”

Podcastopnames

Throughout the day, De Radiofabriek recorded several interviews and conversations with various experts for a new podcast series by New Business Radio. In the podcast, you will hear how water technology, data and photonics together contribute to better, faster and smarter water management, and experts explain why these innovations are essential for sustainability, water quality and the future availability of water. Keep an eye on the TKI Water Technology website for more information.

Image 3. De Radiofabriek recording podcasts for a new series by New Business Radio.

Looking back and ahead

To close the day, Petra Wicherink reflected on its value: “The interaction was fantastic: the feedback, all the conversations, all the input. It’s wonderful, but also surprising, because you never know what will come out of a day like this. There is already photonics technology, but there is still much to gain. But it won’t happen by itself. How do you get it implemented? I don’t think we found the full answer today, but we did take an important step towards meaningful applications of photonics.”

It was a day in which technology and practice came together, laying the foundation for new collaborations, demonstrations, pilots and innovation projects in the years ahead.

This event was organised by BOM, KWR, Netherlands Water Partnership, PhotonicsNL, TKI Water Technology, Water Alliance and Wetsus, and was part of the TKI Water Technology programme.

To learn more about TKI Water Technology, visit: www.tkiwatertechnologie.nl