I love the birthing of a new technology. That moment when all
the sweat, toil, tears and sheer hard work finally come together and the
'product' finally takes it’s first tentative steps. We are about to witness it
again.
Bactest, the innovative company that a few years ago brought
to the water industry a novel portable respirometer (trust me, it's a big
deal) is about to launch a new product. The respirometer is called, rather
fantastically, 'Speedy Breedy'. The new product is called is Shepherd. Shepherd
provides a way of controlling the aeration in an activated sludge plant
(trust me, it's an even bigger deal). Get the aeration right and there
are copious energy and hard cash savings to be made.
Trials are underway and results look good. This Note is
because there has been a new twist in the story which might speed the birthing
process. Bactest have been talking with the boutique investment/advisory firm
Decarbon Capital. Decarbon Capital are in the final stages of arranging for the
Shepherd trial to be funded externally with the investment being re-paid through
the proven energy savings achieved. This will reduce significantly the risk to
the water company. It's hard to see what's not to like about this
offering.
Like all expectant mothers, Professor Annie Brooking, the CEO
of Bactest has done all the real hard work. Ashley Daffin from Decarbon Capital,
like most 'fathers', has an important part but it is somewhat fleeting compared
to the work of the mother. My role? I like to think I am the friend who has
driven them to the hospital. When I heard about the new Decarbon Capital/Bactest
alliance I sent an email to my former senior colleagues at Thames Water to
encourage them to grab this opportunity before it passes them
by.
Push Annie, Push!
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