XWT-34810 Business Case Design Project

Course

Credits 10.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

Courses: XWT33305 Chemical Reaction Design; XWT31305 Bioreactor Design, XWT35305 Computational Methods in Water Technology, XWT30305 Biological Water Treatment and Recovery Technology, XWT34305 Multi-component Mass Transfer in Membrane Processes

Contents:

In this course, students develop a business case for a specific water project with the circular economy concept as its starting point. In such a water project many stakeholders (e.g. municipalities, private companies, housing alliances, industries and agriculture) are involved and different types of water are used and produced. In a common linear economy approach each individual stakeholder optimises its own situation mainly based on economic and sometimes sustainability criteria. This is not always the overall best situation for all stakeholders in a certain area. The target of a circular economy approach is the achievement of an overall optimisation for all stakeholders and it involves technologies for water as a source for energy, raw materials and reusable water. In order to show the additional value of a circular economy approach, students also develop a business case with the (traditional) linear economy concept as its starting point. Students work in international and culturally mixed groups of four or five persons on the business case.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- design and evaluate innovative solutions of circular activity, within the business context of a (closed) water chain;
- create new value chains which enable (new) technological innovations for circular economy ends up to the market;
- analyse the opportunities for change in an international and business-like context;
- work in a group productively, sharing information and thinking about sustainability and innovations in an international and culturally mixed group and in interaction with other groups.

Activities:

Attend supporting lectures and an excursion
Develop a business case for a specific water project in a group
Implement new water technologies
Design new water processes
Present business case to peers from the work field

Examination:

Assessment is based on the quality of the developed business case (70%), defense of the business case to peers from the work field (15%) and a self-reflection on the individual performance as a team member (15%).
The mark for all parts should be 5.5 or above.

Literature:

Handouts