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Isle Utilities fosters trenchless innovation

Trenchless Australasia spoke to Managing Director Timothy Day about how TAG is helping to shape the future of industry.

Originally from Australia, Timothy Day became involved in the utilities sector in 1991 while working in the UK on the deregulation of the electricity sector. He later came back to Australia to continue in the utilities sector.

“I returned to Australia when the electricity and gas sectors went contestable and worked for a number of information and communications technology (ICT) start-ups as well as utilities.

“In 2011 the startup I was working for, eMeter, was purchased by Siemens. At the same time the water sector here in Australia was starting to look seriously at intelligent water networks and I went to work for South East Water on their Digital Metering program.

“During this time I was introduced to Isle Utilities and it was a natural fit given my experience in the sector and with innovation.”

Isle Utilities was established in the UK in 2005 with a mission to create a collaborative environment that allowed innovation in the water sector to flourish.

The concept was so successful, that the company expanded the program internationally, including introducing the program to Australia.

Mr Day explains “We now also have operations in the US, Canada, Netherlands, Singapore, UAE and have operated in Australia since 2011. While having a great pedigree in the municipal water sector we are now taking the model and applying it in other areas such as the built environment, rural water, manufacturing, mining and agriculture.”

Mr Day says the company’s success can be attributed to their establishment of TAG, which is a global innovation forum featuring the world’s leading water utility companies.

Developing new technology

TAG is a forum that connects innovators with large private and public organisations looking for new technology, giving them a unique opportunity to connect directly with potential customers.

The process accelerates the market uptake, provides the innovator with invaluable real-time feedback and gives them access to a network of investors and strategic partners.

The TAG process starts with a detailed product description, which enables Isle Utilities to ascertain whether the product is suitable for the program.

A submission summarising the technology, business case and unique selling point is then written, before an invitation to present at one or more of the forums, where the product receives invaluable feedback from potential clients and investors.

Isle2
Isle Utilities Managing Director Timothy Day and Lead Technical Consultant Mitchell Dixon.

The process is best suited for products that are market-ready, or close to it, although if a technology is in the early stages they are able to offer connections with investors to get the product off the ground.

Mr Day says the ‘collaborative innovation framework’ that Isle Utilities has developed is the reason for the high success rate.

Mr Day explains “TAG accelerates the market uptake of ‘step-change’ technologies by engaging the industry during the pre-commercial stages of development and by leveraging external investment from venture capital investors.”

Some of Australia’s leading water utilities are involved in TAG including Queensland Urban Utilities, SE Water, SEQ Water, Unity Water, Sydney Water, City West Water and SA Water.

Mr Day explains “Our TAG members consist of 30 of Australia’s largest urban water utilities. The TAG forum provides an excellent platform to evaluate emerging technologies, share best practice and collaborate on technology trials and other projects.

“Over the last 12 months, over 200 technologies have been assessed through TAG with five technologies selected to pitch in front of our members every quarter.”

Mr Day says 20 per cent of the technologies presented are related to the Trenchless Technology sector, including pipe condition assessment, maintenance and replacement.

In addition to this 16 per cent of technologies are related to condition assessment and leakage, with another 16 per cent focusing on treatment and 6 per cent on intelligent networks.

“Since 2010, 16 trenchless technologies have been shortlisted and have been presented to TAG members here in Australia.

“Over the last 10 years 70 per cent of technologies that present at TAG move forward with trials, demonstrations or further research.”

Thus far TAG has seen several conditions assessment technologies moved through to trial stage.

Mr Day says “The ability to inspect the internal condition of a pipe, select specific sections of pipe to replace or repair/reline while leaving good pipe in the ground is a better way of managing resources and maximising asset life.

“Novel inspection technologies, that give more information, allow more informed decision making and are making a significant difference in the industry.

“The more you measure, the more you know, and the more you can make better, informed decisions.”

Mr Day finished by saying the introduction and adoption of innovation in the utilities industry was inevitable.

“More autonomous inspection technologies with greater multi-parameter sensing abilities are coming onto the market every day. Technologies range from long range satellite based technologies to autonomous pipe insertion devices.

“These technologies will continue to be refined as well as new technologies harnessing the benefits of the Internet of Things (IoT) coming onto the market.

“As companies become more proficient at operating the technologies and confident in using them as an alternative to more traditional technologies – the future looks extremely bright.”

Isle Utilities is now actively searching for new innovative ideas and technologies to be involved in the forums.

For more information visit the Isle Utilities website.

This article was featured in the September edition of Trenchless Australasia. To view the magazine on your PC, Mac, tablet, or mobile device, click here.

If you have news you would like featured in Trenchless Australasia contact Assistant Editor Nick Lovering at nlovering@gs-press.com.au

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