Insights for what's next
Explore practical perspectives that turn complex challenges and emerging trends into real-world outcomes.
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Thought LeadershipGigawatt challenge: Infrastructure for the AI era
Jacobs Senior Vice President, Advanced Facilities and Market Lead AI Data Centers, Dana Tilley explores how digital twins can enable owners, operators, developers, utilities and communities to plan gigawatt-scale AI data centers faster — improving grid resilience and balancing power, cooling and site constraints earlier in the process. -
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Thought LeadershipAdvancing nature-based solutions for resilient infrastructure
An integrated approach to coastal city flood resilience
Join Adam Hosking, Jacobs Global Director for Water Resources and Resilience, and Susy Torriente, Global Leader for City Resilience, for the webinar An Integrated Approach to Coastal City Flood Resilience. Coastal cities globally face many challenges in delivering a safe, affordable and resilient environment for their residents and economy. Added to the pressure of increasing populations and aging infrastructure, is the accelerating impact of climate change, which in the coastal context includes the challenge of sea level rise and coastal storms. OECD research (2013), suggests that across 136 coastal cities globally the population at flood risk could rise from 40 million today to 150 million by 2070, with a corresponding risk of over US$1 trillion of losses per year. Download the presentation slide deck. (PDF, 5 MB)
OneWater: An integrated, inclusive approach to a sustainable water future
This webinar is focused on OneWater: An Integrated, Inclusive Approach to a Sustainable Water Future. If we think differently about water and view all water as a valuable resource, we can work to tackle the issues that impact people and move beyond traditional silos to bring an integrated, inclusive approach to a sustainable water future for all. In this webinar you’ll learn how the cities of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and St. Petersburg, Florida, are using the OneWater approach. Harpreet Sandhu, City of Calgary and Susan Butler, Jacobs, will provide a general overview of OneWater and Calgary’s journey - “An integrated approach to water resilient cities” Claude Tankersley, City of St. Petersburg and Leisha Pica, Jacobs, will focus on implementing OneWater strategies in St. Petersburg, Florida - “How to use a One Water Approach to engage the Community” Moderator: Adam Hosking, Jacobs Water Resources Global Solutions Director Download the presentation slide deck. (PDF, 6 MB)
Digital Twins: Enabling data-driven water reclamation & reuse solutions
In our technology-driven world, digital representations of physical assets, processes and systems – better known as "digital twins" – are rapidly becoming a preferred practice across markets. In this webinar you’ll learn how Digital Twin solutions enable optimal use of resources allowing solutions to be investigated and tested without putting equipment, public health or the environment at risk. Our panel of presenters are: Julian Sandino – Moderator, Jacobs Wastewater Global Solutions Director Garrett Owens – Jacobs Global Technology Leader for Digital Twins Jim McQuarrie – Director of Comprehensive Planning and Innovation with the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District in Colorado Bruce Johnson – Wastewater Technology Fellow within Jacobs Adrienne Menniti – Principal Process Engineer with Clean Water Services in Hillsboro, Oregon Download the presentation slide deck. (PDF, 11 MB)
From risks to resilience: International Perspectives on holistic climate adaptation at a time of financial challenge
It’s time to think differently about the future – about how we respond to unanticipated events like COVID-19 and how we prepare for and mitigate the natural, societal and economic risks associated with climate change. When individuals, communities, institutions, businesses and systems are resilient, they’re able to withstand, recover quickly and thrive – no matter what adversities they experience. In this session, we will examine resilience and preparedness in the context of climate change, with a focus on investigating ‘undisclosed risks’ and the full range of short- and long-term climate risks, and a holistic asset management approach for addressing climate change. We will hear from Melbourne Water, which provides drinking water and wastewater services for the approximately 5 million people living in the Melbourne metropolitan area and Thames Estuary Asset Management 2100, the Environment Agency’s single largest flood risk management program in England. Our panel of presenters are: Laurens van der Tak - Moderator, Americas Water Resilience Director, Jacobs Clare McAuliffe, Principal, Strategy and Risk, Melbourne Water Craig Clifton, Resilience and Climate Change Global Technology Leader, Jacobs Abby Abby Crisostomo, Thames Estuary 2100 Strategic Asset Management Lead, Environment Agency Download the presentation slide deck. (PDF, 8 MB)
Potable reuse: Nature reuses water endlessly, why don't we?
Natural- and human-made threats to our global water supply get more complex as populations surge and the demand for water across industries increases. Since there is no new water on Earth, all water goes through a natural cycle and is essentially recycled water before it is treated, tested and returned to homes and businesses as drinking water. In recent decades, forward-thinking organizations have looked to replicate nature more closely by reclaiming the water once viewed as waste and recycling it to augment water supplies. In this webinar you’ll learn why potable reuse is not only a safe solution, it is also a future-proof and environmentally friendly one. Potable Reuse provides a locally-controlled, drought-proof water supply, eliminates the need for dedicated conveyance systems and reduces storage needs because water stays within the system – providing the water where it is needed and producing a strong water supply for resilient cities. Speakers: Larry Schimmoller, Water Reuse Global Technology Director, Jacobs - Moderator Germano Salazar-Benites, SWIFT Project Manager, Hampton Roads Sanitation District Tyler Nading, Senior Technologist, Jacobs Jim Lozier, Desalination Global Technology Director, Jacobs David Pedersen, General Manager, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, Administering Agent, Las Virgenes-Triunfo Joint Powers Authority Download the presentation slide deck. (PDF, 8.6 MB) Download the white paper. (PDF, 7.6 MB)
The critical issues facing the water sector
The Water industry has many issues facing it in these changing times. Our panel of Water Association CEOs will share their insights on what’s driving the water conversation in 2021 and how the industry is addressing the critical issues facing our sector. Panelists: Peter Grevatt, PhD, CEO Water Research Foundation Terry Fuller, CEO Chartered Institute of Water & Environmental Management Renée Willette, Vice President, Programs and Strategy, US Water Alliance Moderator: Susan Moisio, Jacobs Global Water Director
Reservoirs underpinning civilization: Challenges and solutions in managing reservoir safety
Dams and their impounded water storage reservoirs provide immense public benefits, including water supply, sustainable energy sources through hydroelectric power generation and flood risk reduction. With dam and reservoir operation and maintenance, it is often necessary to adapt to challenges brought about by changes in legislative requirements, engineering standards, climate and other natural hazards and public attitudes toward risk, as well as aging infrastructure. In this webinar you’ll learn how two owners approach dam safety and how Jacobs is working with them, and around the globe, to manage risks and public safety of existing reservoirs through organizational awareness, surveillance programs, maintenance and periodic upgrades. Presenters: Mark Zinniker, Generation Engineering Supervisor for the Eugene Water & Electric Board shares challenges related to a new 40-year Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license such as fish passage, seismic risks, flood risks and impacts of climate change. Nason McCullough, Jacobs U.S. Regional Technology Leader for Dams discusses the implementation of retrofit and upgrade strategy to address FERC license requirements, including standards and requirements for fish passage, seismic stability and work adjacent to an existing high-hazard dam. Stephen Naylor, Reservoir Safety Manager for Environment Agency South East England discusses challenges in delivering the ongoing safety of a portfolio of flood storage reservoirs. Andy Courtnadge, Jacobs U.K. Discipline Lead for Dams gives examples of changes to U.K. engineering standards in response to dam safety incidents, ongoing research and the move towards more risk-based approaches. He also provides examples of how to manage reservoir safety issues, staff
Awareness and vigilance help prevent cyber-tampering at water treatment facilities
Cyber-tampering is on the rise. Awareness and vigilance can help thwart an attack. Intentional cyber penetration into U.S. water utility process control systems by rogue nation states, insider threats (through intentional and unintentional attacks), and a variety of criminal groups have been reported. Cyberattacks have disrupted critical process operations in all industrial sectors (e.g., energy, manufacturing, water, transportation, building management systems, etc.) Consequently, these attacks have the potential to disrupt, or even compromise production or service. In this webinar our thought leaders share some initial steps water providers can take to protect their assets. Presenters: Adi Karisik, Jacobs Global Technology Leader Operational Technology (Cybersecurity) John Rickermann, Jacobs Managing Director, Technical Services Group, Operations Management & Facilities Services Moderator: Russell Ford, Jacobs Global Solutions Director, Drinking Water & Reuse Download the presentation slide deck. (PDF, 13 MB)
State-of-the-art water supply protection
Getting the best possible raw water quality is fundamentally important to water treatment. Engineering higher water quality in drinking water reservoirs is practical and powerful. There are emerging methods to predict spikes in taste and odor compounds or harmful algae blooms days, if not weeks, in advance using machine learning tools. In this webinar, you will learn how Clayton County Water Authority in Georgia, U.S., manages water quality in its indirect reuse reservoirs employing state-of-art water supply protection within an integrated water management program. Our speakers are: • David Austin, Jacobs Natural Treatment Systems Global Technology Lead • Roger Scharf, Jacobs Senior Project Manager • Lauren Chamblin, Program Manager, Clayton County Water Authority • Kelly Taylor, Engineering Director, Clayton County Water Authority Download the presentation slide deck. (PDF, 11 MB)
Many approaches to OneWater: Implementing integrated water management regionally
Within watersheds and across community boundaries, utilities are tackling complex challenges in sustainably, equitably, and safely managing water. Addressing these challenges requires integrated, collaborative solutions that are specific to the regional watershed, beneficial to local communities, and rooted in the context of the global water cycle. Integrated or OneWater approaches are not a one size fits all. In this webinar we will learn how two utilities – the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District and Las Virgenes Municipal Water District – are addressing very different water quality and water quantity challenges. These organizations demonstrate how water connects us and affects us all, and how integrated solutions require systems-based thinking and regional partnerships and collaboration. Whether you’re grappling with too much water or too little water, implementing a OneWater approach allows for a tailored solution. Presenters: Susan Moisio, Global Vice President & Global Water Director, Jacobs Joseph Danyluk, Principal Technologist & Global Lead for OneWater, Jacobs Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells, Chief Executive Officer, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District David Pedersen, General Manager, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, Administering Agent, Las Virgenes-Triunfo Joint Powers Authority Katie Bollmer, Senior Project Manager, Jacobs
Net-zero roadmap: How water resource recovery facilities contribute to the overall decarbonization strategy
In this “In the kNOW” webinar, we will explore the role of water resource recovery facilities (WRRF) in combating the climate emergency. The wastewater sector offers immense opportunities to contribute to climate goals. Two utilities – Metro Vancouver and VCS Denmark - will share their experience identifying and implementing measures to reduce emissions and achieve energy neutrality goals. We will also discuss the latest research on the quantification of nitrous oxide and methane emissions, considering global best science and the ambitions of the U.K. water sector as part of their 2030 net zero route map. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has published the first part of its sixth assessment report (AR6), highlighting a ‘Code Red’ for humanity - that climate change is widespread, rapid and intensifying. The report shows that emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) from human activities are responsible for approximately 1.1°C of warming since 1850-1900, and finds that averaged over the next 20 years, global temperature is expected to reach or exceed 1.5°C of warming. Combined with the increasing frequency of extreme weather events we experience across the world, AR6 reminds us of the urgency to make immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in GHG emissions to decrease the rate of unprecedented warming. As more countries, cities and companies across the world set net-zero emission goals, there is a window of opportunity to initiate the paradigm shift toward a low-carbon, low-energy and climate resilient water sector. In this “In the kNOW” webinar, we will explore
Green infrastructure for healthy communities
Utilities and municipalities are challenged to go beyond traditional levels of service to deliver solutions that mitigate climate impacts, improve infrastructure and address broader community needs. Due to its cross-cutting benefits as a strategy, communities are increasing prioritization and investments in green infrastructure to manage stormwater objectives while enhancing community health, improving overall infrastructure, and providing opportunities, especially for disadvantaged populations. Additionally, as a nature-based solution, green infrastructure provides a resilient solution set to mitigate and address the impacts of climate change. This webinar will provide motivation and drivers for green infrastructure, case studies and concepts exploring policy and equity for green infrastructure from stormwater parks to healthy streets to a wide variety of community amenities. Moderators: Dustin Atchison, Jacobs Global Technology Lead for Stormwater & Watershed Management Andrew Potts, Jacobs Green Infrastructure Community of Practice Lead Session 1 Speakers: Tracy Tackett, Seattle Public Utilities, WA | Green Stormwater Infrastructure Program Liu Huei-Lyn, PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency | Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters Program Session 2 Speakers: Adam Woodburn, Onondaga County, NY | Save the Rain Program Zach Monge, Jacobs Senior Project Manager Paul Hargreaves, Jacobs Head of Discipline – Surface Water Drainage (UK & Europe) Download the Session 1 slide deck (PDF, 19.2 MB) Download the Session 2 slide deck (PDF, 7.4 MB)
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Future Foundations
Co-creating the world to come
From developing climate resilience and transitioning to a low-carbon future, to modernizing and transforming infrastructure, governments and businesses face critical challenges. How they respond will define our future.
As our clients navigate these challenges, we help them think differently – working together to pioneer tomorrow's infrastructure solutions and build the foundations for a prosperous, secure future.