AUSTIN, TEXAS, Oct. 6, 2015 -- The Texas Desalination Association (TDA) and AccelerateH2O have officially partnered to implement innovative water supply solutions across the state. The Texas Water Innovation Clearinghouse will expedite knowledge-sharing, problem-solving and access to resources as well as the formation of unique, real-time collaborations to address the grand challenges facing the region.
The TDA is a statewide membership organization representing global, national and regional interests in Texas' next-generation brackish and Gulf-water desalination technology and infrastructure. Accelerate H20 is a Texas-based entity created to identify, promote and invest in new and existing technologies with potential to fill demands in Texas' $9-billion water technology market.
The Texas Water Innovation Clearinghouse is a web-based platform that will connect sectors that are vital to securing Texas' water future including technology, engineering, entrepreneurs, inventors, and investors. As a statewide research and development, engineering and inventor 'collaboratory,' the Clearinghouse is primed to spawn the next generation of ideas, products, services, and solutions to meet the needs of Texas, the U.S. and the world.
Further commitment between the two organizations centers around brackish and seawater desalination and the development of Innovative Demonstration Hubs. AccelerateH2O has identified locations across the state that are primed to use, evaluate and showcase new technologies in practical, full-scale demonstrations.
The Demonstration Hubs are large-scale sites for both new and mature technologies to work in conditions that demonstrate effectiveness in permitting, performance, investment, and procurement. These Hubs will address challenges in energy consumption, brine management, future reverse osmosis filter materials and performance, and similar endeavors.
"The importance of connecting dots across this large state -- of leveraging the best minds and assets we have, of accelerating innovation, especially in brackish and seawater desalination -- is enhanced by this partnership between our two organizations, leadership and resources," said Ed Archuleta, Chairman of AccelerateH2O and the former President of the El Paso Water Utility, where the largest inland desalination facility was first built in the U.S.
"What we have seen in our recent State Water Plans is a growing gap between supply and demand for water in Texas over the next 30 to 40 years," said Kyle Frazier, executive director of TDA. "Conservation alone will not close that gap, and we can't build our way out of this like we did after the drought of the 1950s. What we must do now is provide the connection between our human capital, innovative thinkers, demonstrations of new technology, and the investment capital to bring it to market."
See also:
"Accelerate H2O hosts first-ever Texas Water Technology Investor Forum"
"AccelerateH2O, Isle to deliver Technology Approval Group meetings across Texas"
About Accelerate H2O
AccelerateH2O was formed to identify the most efficient and effective pathway for technology development and deployment across Texas' residential, industrial, agricultural, and utility end-users. With over 18 university research centers, 4,600 water agencies, 5,000+ medium and large corporate campuses, and thousands of farms and ranches, Texas represents an undiscovered $9-billion water technology marketplace. Yet its first and foremost mission is to solve the most challenging problems facing Texans due to the ongoing drought and leverage opportunities sparked by the continued growth of the state economy. For more information, visit www.accelerateh2o.org.
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