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Water for Clean Energy and a Circular Industry

Powering the circular water transition

Water is at the heart of the transition towards clean energy, a circular industry and climate-neutral water systems. Water utilities and industry must reduce water and energy consumption, emissions and waste. KWR brings together expertise in water, wastewater, energy, resource recovery, emissions, digital monitoring and systems analysis to develop scalable solutions. This can be achieved through the smart exchange of water, energy and resources between the water sector, industry and the urban environment. In doing so, we contribute to resilient and circular water systems with a reduced environmental footprint.

KWR’s ambition is to accelerate the transition towards circular and climate-neutral water systems. We apply Dutch water expertise to develop scalable solutions with European and international impact.

Our Partners

We collaborate with drinking water companies, water authorities, industry, the energy sector and government bodies. In addition, we work closely with municipalities, ports, greenhouse horticulture companies, technology providers, environmental organisations, research institutes and EU consortia to develop innovative solutions.

Impact: Advancing Circular and Climate-Neutral Water Systems

KWR accelerates the transition towards circular and climate-neutral water systems, in which water, energy and resources are managed in an integrated way. Together with our partners, we develop and validate solutions that reduce water use, emissions and waste, while increasing water reuse and resource recovery.

We also integrate insights from the social sciences, for example to strengthen public and stakeholder acceptance. This results in evidence-based decision-making, validated solutions and clear implementation pathways. In this way, we support resilient water utilities, a circular industry and the transition to clean energy.

What we do

  • Circular Water, Resource Recovery and Symbiosis
    We focus on water reuse, closed-loop systems and the recovery of a wide range of resources, biogas and heat. We also develop concepts for industrial and urban-industrial symbiosis, fostering collaboration between water utilities, industry and cities.
  • Climate-Neutral Water and Wastewater Systems
    We develop climate-neutral water and wastewater systems by measuring and reducing N₂O, CH₄ and CO₂ emissions, improving energy efficiency and optimising treatment processes. Our approach combines emissions monitoring, process control, energy audits, and the recovery of biogas and heat.
  • Water for Clean Energy Systems
    We provide insights into water use in aquathermal energy, geothermal energy, aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES), resource recovery, hydrogen production, Power-to-X technologies, cooling water systems, and renewable energy infrastructure. We help partners optimise water availability, quality, treatment and reuse to protect water resources and ensure a resilient energy supply.
  • Residual Streams, Monitoring and Decision Support
    We transform complex residual streams into potential resources. KWR combines the treatment of PFAS, organic micropollutants and emerging contaminants with digital monitoring, modelling and sustainability assessments such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This supports investment and technology decisions, as well as programmes ranging from pilot projects to full-scale implementation.

Expertise and Knowledge Domains

KWR combines expertise in drinking water, wastewater treatment, industrial water, microbiology, process technology, energy systems, resource recovery, emissions, digital monitoring, modelling, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), techno-economic assessment, governance and social sciences.

These disciplines are brought together through systems thinking, ranging from laboratory and pilot-scale validation to regional strategies for water, energy and resource management.

Co-Creation

Co-creation is central to our approach. Together with water utilities, industry, governments and knowledge partners, we develop, test and implement smart solutions that are technically feasible, socially supported and scalable.

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Deze maatschappelijke opgave omvat:

  • Tools to measure circularity
    Water for Clean Energy and a Circular Industry Water for Clean Energy and a Circular Industry

    Tools to measure circularity

    Sustainability and circularity are societal objectives – but what is sustainable and how do you measure how circular a solution is? Instruments and tools able to systematically assess these aspects are needed to support the appraisal and decision-making...

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  • Reuse
    Water for Clean Energy and a Circular Industry Water for Clean Energy and a Circular Industry

    Reuse

    What we used to see as a waste stream, we now consider a residual stream that contains resources we want to use again. A circular economy after all calls for the efficient use of (primary) raw materials, the...

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  • Reducing emissions or negative impact
    Water for Clean Energy and a Circular Industry Water for Clean Energy and a Circular Industry

    Reducing emissions or negative impact

    An ideal circular system has no emissions and no negative impact on our living environment nor on ourselves – in fact, it may even have a positive impact. As we proceed on the path to such circular systems,...

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  • Circular systems
    Water for Clean Energy and a Circular Industry Water for Clean Energy and a Circular Industry

    Circular systems

    In a circular economy, materials, energy and water are recycled and reused. The realisation of a truly circular economy calls for more than a variety of individual measures. There is always a need for integration in the system...

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  • Integrated water and energy systems
    Water for Clean Energy and a Circular Industry Water for Clean Energy and a Circular Industry

    Integrated water and energy systems

    The Dutch energy system must become clean and future-proof, but also remain reliable and affordable. Local production of sustainable solar or wind energy plays a crucial role in this transition. As a result of the increasing implementation of...

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  • Sustainable heating and cooling
    Water for Clean Energy and a Circular Industry Water for Clean Energy and a Circular Industry

    Sustainable heating and cooling

    About half of the energy consumed in the Netherlands is used for heating, so we can also speak of a heat transition. And in this heat transition water plays an important role thanks to its large thermal capacity....

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  • Impact of the energy transition on water utilities
    Water for Clean Energy and a Circular Industry Water for Clean Energy and a Circular Industry

    Impact of the energy transition on water utilities

    The energy transition impacts the operational management, role and assets of drinking water utilities in a variety of ways. There are general effects that also propagate to other sectors, in the form for example of labour market shortages...

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