Oded Distel, head of Israel NewTech, believes the international Cleantech industry in 2012 will be guided by the economic environment first and foremost. “The difficult economic climate in the world today, which the Cleantech industry is already feeling, will continue to impact the industry in 2012,” he says. “The focus will shift more and more to efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This will present a challenge to the industry, but also a great opportunity for those companies whose solutions and technologies specifically address the need for efficiency.”
One area in which such solutions are already making headway is in the arena of energy efficiency in wastewater treatment plants. Two notable Israeli companies active in this arena are Mapal Green Energy and Diffusaire, both of which developed technologies to significantly reduce energy expenditure in wastewater purification. Mapal Green Energy developed a unique technology of floating aeration units which can save up to 70% in energy consumption and up to 80% in maintenance costs, as well as improve water quality. Mapal is currently installing a pilot system in Lima’s 18 wastewater treatment plants, following an agreement with Peruvian water company SEDAPAL. A more recent entry into this arena is Diffusaire,a promising company that has emerged out of Kinrot Ventures, Israel’s water-tech incubator. Diffusaire’s OTECH aeration technology offers substantial saving in electricity for wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) operators as well as for aqua-farmers.(To view a video on Diffusaire’s technology click here.)
“In general, this shifting approach to cleantech solutions will require a change in the way that the finance and purchasing managers at water and energy utilities examine suppliers,” continues Distel. Previously, certain parameters like energy expenditure in water processes was accepted at certain levels. Today the trend is to break down and examine the energy expenditure at each stage of the process. “Transparency is key. Utilities will expect suppliers to be much more clear and detailed in how they are minimizing loss of energy and water. This is a challenge, but also an opportunity for those companies which are able to present cost-effective technologies and to communicate them effectively.”
Efficiency will be key in all areas of Cleantech, another example is water management systems and water efficiency. IPNP is an Israeli company which provides management of sewage system maintenance. Distel explains, “If, for example, once sewage pipes were automatically cleaned once every three months, with no further thought, today companies like IPNP are showing that there are more effective ways to manage the system, like measuring pressure in different pipes, giving more attention to those who need it and less to those in which there is less traffic and pressure. This saves pipe bursts and unnecessary maintenance, and overall results in cost savings and a more efficient management of the system.”
“There are many Israeli companies well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities which 2012 will provide,” concludes Distel. “We are recognized for technology innovation and flexibility. The important thing is understand where the market is headed, and to provide effective solutions to the growing needs of the market for cost-effectiveness and transparency.”
Article appearing courtesy Israel NewTech.
