Siemens Water Innovation Challenge (SWIC): These are the finalist companies for their innovation in water care

SWIC is a competition aimed at companies with a strong concern for water solutions such as desalination and water reuse, in order to contribute to the environment.

• This challenge, organized by ACADES, which already has its pre-selected candidates, is part of the activities of its first congress "New Sources of Water for Chile", to be held on March 20 and 21, where the winner will be awarded USD 12,000 and recognition of their contribution to the sustainability of the water industry.

The application period for the Siemens Water Innovation Challenge closed on January 19th, and after an exhaustive review by the expert jury, six companies were selected from more than 40 applicants.

The selected companies were Kran Nanobubbles, Bloom Alert, O2 Company, Low O2, and Remote Waters. All of them were recognized for their immense innovation and contribution to the care of this essential resource: water. 

The next step is Demo Day, which will take place on Tuesday the 12th at the Siemens offices. Each selected participant will have 30 minutes to pitch their innovation to the jury. The three finalists will attend the "Water Dinner" at the "New Water Sources for Chile" Congress, where the winner will be announced. This event will be attended by industry leaders, national and international experts, and prominent political figures, making it a unique opportunity for recognition and influence for all the finalists.

While all the startups are related to the development of new water sources, such as desalination and water reuse, they contribute to different types of industries. For example, O2 Company is currently benefiting the agricultural and industrial sectors. This company was founded with the purpose of preventing water loss worldwide and worked for three years to develop the O2 product, a disruptive, technology-based innovation that aims to prevent water loss through evaporation of between 50% and 80% per month for any type of water reservoir, reducing the water footprint and promoting more sustainable development. 

On the other hand, Bloom Alert is responsible for creating the first Digital Operator for desalination plants, an innovation that integrates artificial intelligence and satellite remote sensing, managing risk in water production and delivering real-time operational recommendations. This solution has already demonstrated an impact in Chile, operating 65% of the installed desalination capacity and increasing its clients' production efficiency by 8%. They aim to mitigate the loss of 29 million m³/day of water worldwide and confirm that desalination is the primary solution to the global water crisis.

Kran Nanobubbles helps companies improve their efficiency and sustainability in production processes involving liquids. Through nanobubbles, they optimize water resource use and increase productivity in various sectors, including agriculture, aquaculture, and industrial processes. They state that their commitment to promoting sustainable practices not only offers innovative technology, "but also a strategic partner for companies seeking to improve their processes and contribute to environmental protection."

Another innovation is LOW O2, which uses seawater and employs specialized engineering to develop environmental mitigation solutions for various industrial processes in different bodies of water. Through a water aeration technique, the company has developed laminar flow microbubble barrier systems capable of physically blocking algal blooms, jellyfish, oil spills, fish, larvae, eggs, and various microorganisms. 

Remote Waters designs, installs, and maintains community-scale desalination plants for rural and remote areas with limited access to water. When electricity is unavailable, the plants also integrate solar power to ensure the necessary autonomy. The systems are monitored remotely, and an artificial intelligence algorithm is used to predict membrane fouling . The company states, “We always design something unique to provide a service tailored to the needs of a rural community.”

The ACADES Congress “New water sources for Chile” will take place on March 20 and 21.