 |
|
|
|
| The Center for the Development of Advanced Water Solutions at Sde Boker |
|
|
 Background |
As a result of the increase in population and the rise in the quality of life, it is expected that there will be a worldwide shortage of water available for use reaching 32% by the year
-
The worldwide water market is valued today at $4.4 billion a year, and represents a growth rate of 7%- 8% a year (which is higher rate of growth than that of the Semiconductor & Telecom Equipment market). This market consists of wide variety of fields including desalination and sewage reclamation, equipment inspection and analysis, pumps, piping and agriculture. The market is decentralized; there are more than 30,000 companies active in the market, and no one large company has taken control of the market. The world finance market identifies water as a fitting field for investment due to its high value, its stability, and its rate of growth.
-
In Israel, exports of the local water industry stand today at $825 million a year, consisting mostly of drip irrigation equipment for agriculture, and local R& D in the field includes 64 companies who have launched a variety of technologies. There are a number of academic centers, research institutions and R&D sites in the field, and approximately 200 researchers who are noticeably involved in the field.
-
Due to the accumulated experience in Israel of managing an ongoing water shortage, the water industry in Israel is viewed by the world as developed, having a relative advantage and unique long term experience, and mature. It is viewed as a world expert in the field.
The government of Israel initiated and approved overall objectives which are defined as “national needs”:
Decision 4415 from November 20, 2006 – The Strategic Plan for the Development of the Negev
Decision 157 from June 18, 2006 – Development of Water Technologies in Israel
These government decision are the central basis upon which the central idea was developed: development of advanced water technologies in the framework of the strategic development of the Negev.
-
At Sde Boker, and in the Negev region, there is the basis, personnel, knowledge, and worldwide recognition of the academic and functional research in the field of mankind contending with the desert environment, of which water research is a central element and the most developed. Likewise, at Sde Boker and in the Negev region there are the physical conditions of large areas, facilities, infrastructure, and environmental conditions needed to support the Center for Advanced Water Solutions.
-
The establishment of the Center for Advanced Water Solutions at Sde Boker creates the ultimate integration which corresponds to the priorities set by the Government of Israel in its decisions: development of water technologies as a strategic lever and development of the Negev which is defined as an essential “national need”. Locating the Center for Advanced Water Solutions at Sde Boker and in the Negev region, will raise the chances that the development and establishment of the Israeli water field will be a central force in the world and significant player on the business and industry playing fields.
|
 Back to top |
| The Vision |
|
Establishment of the Center for Advanced Water Solutions at Sde Boker and the in the Negev region, as a world center for research and development of advanced technological applications and solutions in the field of water – in order to implement these technologies in Israel and around the world, create quality employment opportunities in the Negev and advance the water industry and its export potential.
|
| Back to top |
| Goals |
-
To brand the Center for Advanced Water Solutions at Sde Boker as a world leader in the design and positioning of future strategies for advanced technological solutions in the field of water.
-
To be a holistic center, in order to create an economic “chain of value”, in the water industry: from taking an idea, researching it, following its industrial development and through production and export.
-
To significantly “accelerate” the development of the Negev in the framework of the national strategic plan by creating quality employment opportunities, and attracting investments locally and from abroad.
-
To create relationships and partnerships between different elements involved in the field from Israel and from abroad.
-
To serve as a focal point for collecting , preserving and distributing national knowledge in the field of water.
|
| Back to top |
| The Organizational Idea |
|
-
The growth objectives needed cannot be achieved by the current process even if it was greatly accelerated. A new model is needed which instigates the growth of technologies, products and services (advanced water solutions) within the water market.
-
In recent years we are witnesses to breakthroughs in different fields, most of which have occurred due to the integration of a number of disciplines to achieve the given objective, realized through a structured process. The water industry relies on a large variety of technologies, products and services which due to integration of many elements allows for the creation of the whole. Only an integrated model, which includes all of the elements, will create the “chain of value” link by link and facilitate the much need breakthrough.
|
| Back to top |
| Highlights of the Project |
|
In order to create a space that allows and encourages significant development of advanced solutions, technologies, and industries in the field of water which is integrated from the idea and through production, the following elements are needed as the central links in the “chain of value”:
-
Research Institutions and Universities - institutions which are involved with basic research and the application of water technologies in related fields such as desert agriculture.
-
Maturing Greenhouse for Water Technologies – a place which allows entrepreneurs to advance their ideas for water technologies and products from the idea stage through the prototype stage, and assists entrepreneurs with funding and management for technology infrastructure and information and knowledge infrastructure.
-
Launching Park for Water Industries – infrastructure for start-up companies in the field of water technologies who are developing products and moving them from the prototype stage to the “Beta” stage and their first sales. The park will encourage cross fertilization and will include joint infrastructure in the fields of knowledge, technology, management and marketing.
-
Industrial Park – infrastructure for Israeli and international factories and businesses who are involved in the field of water technologies. The proximity of the industries to the research and development environment will allow for close cooperation and for fast and exact connection with the “chain of value”; moving from the “Beta” phase to full industrial production and export of the product abroad.
-
Experimental phase – this space will allow for preparation and varied experimentation under real conditions of the technological systems. In the space developers will be able to test prototypes and products in the “alpha” and “beta” stages in the simulation area which is located in close proximity to the Center for Research and Development.
-
Director of the Center – the director who will establish the center and run it on an ongoing basis, coordinating all of its elements and encouraging synergy between them. The director will collect the information and knowledge at an overall level and will be the focus and provide the direction for strategic and long term planning in order to meet future challenges in the field.
-
As an overall supportive and promoting shell, the following elements needs to be included: research funds, venture capital funds, an education center, seminars and conferences, information center, referral center, and the civil infrastructure – the infrastructure necessary for the work of the employees and the lives of their families, guests, visitors, in addition to the core activities of the Center.
|
| Back to top |
| Expected results |
-
Positioning of the center as a world leader in the field of advanced water technologies.
-
Increasing exports in the field of water so that they reach the level of the leading sectors in the Israeli market.
-
Transforming Israel to a world power in the field of water technology.
-
Creation of thousands of employment opportunities in the region in the first and second rings.
-
Attracting international water technologies to the center and their creating establishments there.
|
| Back to top |
|
|