
1st SWAN APAC Alliance Workshop –
“Modernising APAC Water Systems in the Digital Age”
From July 22-23, 2019, the SWAN APAC Alliance held its first Workshop in Noosa Heads, Australia co-hosted by Unitywater, which drew over 130 attendees. Day 1 featured expert utility and industry speakers, an interactive roundtable session, and drinks reception. Day 2 included study tours at Unitywater and Queensland Urban Utilities. View the Workshop photos, recap, and presentations below.
(All light purple text is clickable)
Workshop Agenda
MC: Ray Aspey, Corporate Development Manager – Unitywater
Welcome to Country
Helena Gulash – Kabi Kabi Traditional Owner
Mayoral Welcome
Tony Wellington, Mayor – Noosa Council
Workshop Welcome
George Theo, CEO – Unitywater & Chairman – SWAN APAC Alliance
(Watch Unitywater video HERE)
Keynote
Towards the Digital Water Utility: The Role of intelligent Metering and Big Data Informatics
Dr. Cara Beal, Senior Research Fellow – Cities Research Institute, & Senior Lecturer – Griffith University
Panel 1: Leveraging Data-Driven Insights to Improve the APAC Water Customer Experience
Moderator: Neil Brennan, CEO – Seqwater
Panelists:
Customers driving the data and insight to shape the customer experience
Lucia Cade, Chair – South East Water
A Smart Water Network for Brisbane CBD
Howard Witten, General Manager, Network Management – Queensland Urban Utilities
Enhancing Customer Experience through Smart Technology
Glen Carter, Manager Network Intelligence – Yarra Valley Water
Customer Hub and IoT
Darren Cash, Customer Hub Manager – Sydney Water
Panel 2: Demonstrating the Business Case for APAC Smart Water/ Wastewater Solutions
Moderator: John Quinn, Managing Director – Taggle Systems Pty Ltd
Panelists:
Demonstrating the Business Case for APAC Smart Water/Wastewater
Jennifer Rebeiro, CIO – City West Water
Transformation and Positive ROI
Craig Perkins, Coordinator Network Modelling – City of Gold Coast & Udi Geismar, VP Customer Success – TaKaDu
It’s Not Hard to Monitor your Remote Assets
Stephen Coward, Regional Manager (QLD & NT) – Metasphere
Digital Water Utility Maturity Framework – Assessing Your Smart Water Journey
Ken Thompson, Senior Technology Fellow – Jacobs & Chairman – SWAN Forum
Interactive Roundtable Session
What are the best ways to promote a data-driven organisation? (e.g. data science culture, data self-service, AI, change management)
Peter Prevos, Manager Data Science – Coliban Water
How can we develop a smart sewer system for future smart cities?
Dr. Guangming Jiang, Senior Lecturer – University of Wollongong
How can data science and technology to improve our understanding of water use and demand patterns in our networks?
David Hughes-Owen, Manager Asset Investment Planning (Metro) – Water Corporation
What are the most effective Control Room strategies to maximise the benefits of a digital water network?
Martine Watson, Manager, Network Operations – Unitywater
How can we overcome human resistance to achieve digital outcomes?
Ben Steel, Customer Experience & Business Performance Program Leader – Logan City Council
How can we develop and use virtual reality in service locations?
David Heape, Principal Wastewater Engineer – Redland City Council
How can the democratisation of information lead to improved business and customer outcomes and attract targeted funding?
Nick Brown, Regional Planning Manager, Healthy Waters – Auckland Council
With increasing technology options and available tools, how can water utilities best collaborate and prioritise opportunities?
Luke Hellowell, Manager Operational Technology and Energy – Seqwater
Panel 3: Enhancing Asset Management through Digital Twins, Robotics, and
Advanced Data Analytics
Moderator: Alex Ung, General Manager – RedEye Apps
Panelists:
Deep Learning for Visual Inspection Reviews
Michelle Aguilar, CTO – VAPAR
Decision Intelligence
Roberto Mascarenhas, Business Development Manager – Xylem
Enhancing Asset Management through Digital Twins, Robotics, and Advanced Data Analytics
Paul Banfield, Segment Director – Water & WasteWater – AVEVA
Digital Twins: Temporal Considerations
Toby Bourke, Vice President, Asia Pacific – Innovyze
Panel 4: Modernising APAC Water Systems Now and in 2050
Moderator: David Cameron, CEO – Queensland Water Directorate
Panelists:
George Theo, CEO – Unitywater & Chairman – SWAN APAC Alliance
Kristian Steenstrup, Distinguished VP, Analyst & Fellow – Gartner
Sean Cohen, Senior Manager, Smart Water – SUEZ Water
Ashley Massie, National Operations Manager – Alliance Automation
Amir Cahn, Executive Director – SWAN Forum
Thank you to all our Sponsors!
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