Strategic alliance between Denmark and US brings focus, solutions to water crisis
On April 4, Danish Minister for Higher Education and Science Ulla Tørnæs inaugurated a new cross-Atlantic partnership, the Water Technology Alliance (WTA) California, in San Francisco, California. The aim of the cross-Atlantic partnership is to share knowledge and to develop water technology solutions targeting the current water crisis caused by climate change.
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Denmark has demonstrated leadership in efficient, sustainable and energy-neutral water solutions; however, they see great opportunities in working with their American colleagues in places such as the dynamic water technology-surrounded Silicon Valley. As such, a close collaboration between Danish and American water companies and organizations can be beneficial to all involved parties.
A number of Danish companies in the water sector, including Danfoss, have formed the California-based alliance – supported by The Danish Industry Foundation and the Danish Trade Council in Chicago – to serve as the foundation for a close partnership between Danish and American companies, public bodies, and education and science institutions in the water sector.
The alliance is headed by Aarhus Vand, and includes the following companies: Applied Biomimetec, Danfoss, DHI, Grundfos, Kampstrup, Leif Koch A/S, Ramboll, Skytem, Smith Innovation. The alliance will provide a formal means for participating companies to exchange information, expertise and ideas.
Tørnæs inaugurated the alliance as part of the conference titled, “Water / More for Less – Sharing knowledge and best practice from the U.S. & Denmark”. A number of American and Danish experts and policy-makers in the water sector attended the conference.
First stop: California
The alliance’s first priority is to concentrate on the water crisis in California, where focus will be on the shortage of water.
“It was great to share San Francisco’s story with our colleagues from Denmark and learn more about their ‘one water’ approach,” said Karen Kubick, director of the Wastewater Enterprise Capital Improvement Program for the city and county of San Francisco’s Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) & Water Environment Federation (WEF) Board of Trustee member. “This type of in-person cultural knowledge exchange, while rare, allows the world’s most sustainable practices to be shared and implemented across the globe so we can achieve more together.”
Partnership with perspectives
Mads Warming, global director of the water and wastewater segment in Danfoss, says: “The importance of water management cannot be overstated. The good news is technologies exist today to address the challenges inherent in procuring, treating and distributing water tomorrow. Solutions are already being replicated around the world as governments, industries and companies like Danfoss join forces and commit to reducing their climate impact by improving energy efficiency in buildings, manufacturing processes and other operations that support the world’s growing population.”
