Practical Workshop: Monetizing Water Solutions Through Volumetric Water Benefits
Program:
This hands-on workshop will guide water industry companies on transforming and monetizing their offerings by shifting from selling capital goods or Water as a Service (WaaS) to providing volumetric water benefits, akin to the carbon market. Forming part of a catalytic community alongside the world's largest corporations, this approach multiplies the positive impact on water resources while integrating nature-based solutions.
Introduction: Overview of the volumetric water benefits model and its parallels with carbon markets.
- Case Studies: Real-world examples of companies successfully adopting this approach.
- Interactive Exercise: Participants will map their current offerings and explore ways to pivot toward volumetric benefits.
- Q&A Session: Open floor for questions and discussions on implementation strategies and market potential.
Speakers
Alejandro Sturniolo, Head of Sustainability Strategy at Aqua Positive and General Secretary of the Water Positive Think Tank
Work History:
Alejandro Sturniolo began his professional journey at Unitek Argentina in 1998 as a chemical engineering intern. In this role, he worked as Project Manager and was responsible for after-sales service, gaining valuable fieldwork experience.
By the age of 28, after advancing to the position of Applications Engineer, Alejandro acquired a 50% stake in the company, becoming a major partner. When 70% of Unitek was acquired by RWL Water, an enterprise founded by Ronald Lauder, one of the creators of Estée Lauder, Alejandro was appointed Director of Business Development for South America. This collaboration subsequently led to the formation of Fluence Corporation, where he sold his remaining stake in Unitek and assumed the role of Vice President of Marketing and Sales until July 2020. From 2021 to 2023, Alejandro worked at H2O Innovation as Global Head of Water Reuse.
Alejandro is currently the General Secretary of the Water Positive Think Tank, where he has focused his research on water positivity since 2021. He is also a former VP of the International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA) and has held leadership positions at the Latin American Desalination and Reuse Association (ALADyR) and the Argentine Desalination and Water Reuse Association (ADRA). His expertise is reflected in over 30 international publications.
Education:
- Chemical Engineer, National University of Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Postgraduate in Marketing from Belgrano University, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Postgraduate in Negotiation and Leadership, FASTA University, MDP, Argentina
- Business Sustainability Strategy, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Neuroscience for Business, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Vision Statement:
It is my greatest desire to be part of the change, connecting water with the needs of present and future generations. We possess detailed data on water needs, but we often repeat it as if problems will resolve themselves. This is my mission and the path I chose for my career. Water is my passion, and my motto is: “Sharing apocalyptic forecasts is easy; anticipating them is the great challenge.” If we can purify a glass of seawater with less energy than an internet search, no one should be thirsty. This is why I embrace the challenge. As I see it: “We are not just facing a water crisis, but also a crisis of knowledge.”