Event: WEX Global 2023 – Water & Energy Exchange

Date: March 2023

Location: Seville, Spain

Type of CPD: Keynote speaking / desalination innovation / international collaboration

Duration: Multi‑day event (speaker + participant)

Summary of the Event

I attended WEX Global 2023 in Seville, one of the world’s leading forums for senior water and energy leaders. The event convened utilities, technology companies, investors, regulators, engineering firms and international organisations to explore solutions to global water scarcity, climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure.

I was invited as a Keynote Speaker, presenting on the role of microbial activity sensing and real‑time biological monitoring in advancing desalination performance, improving operational resilience and supporting digital transformation. The event provided a high‑level platform to engage with global desalination leaders and contribute to strategic discussions on the future of water production in arid and climate‑stressed regions.

My Contribution: Keynote Speaker on Desalination

Keynote Title: Biological Insight for High‑Performance Desalination: Real‑Time Monitoring for a Resilient Water Future

Key points delivered:

• Explained how microbial activity sensing provides early‑warning detection of biological fouling, toxicity and process instability.
• Demonstrated how real‑time biological data supports membrane protection, optimised cleaning cycles, and reduced energy consumption.
• Presented case studies showing improved operational outcomes in seawater and brackish desalination systems.
• Discussed integration with digital platforms, including predictive analytics, automated alerts and AI‑driven optimisation.
• Highlighted the importance of biological monitoring in supporting climate‑resilient water production and long‑term asset performance.
• Engaged with global utility leaders on innovation pathways, pilot opportunities and scaling strategies.

Key Themes Covered

International collaboration Knowledge exchange between global desalination operators, innovators and technology providers.

Desalination innovation and operational excellence Membrane performance, fouling mitigation, energy efficiency and digital optimisation.

Real‑time monitoring and sensing technologies Biological, chemical and physical sensors for predictive operations.

Climate resilience and water security Ensuring reliable supply in water‑stressed regions.

Digital transformation in desalination Data integration, automation, digital twins and predictive modelling.

Sustainability and environmental performance Reducing energy use, chemical consumption and environmental impact.