The R&D program and innovation

The combination of the technical solutions envisaged, from the treatment unit to the discharge into the Jaunay at the exit of the vegetated transition zone, integrates many innovations:

• From a technical point of view, the various components of the demonstrator (low pressure reverse osmosis refining unit, UV disinfection, and vegetated transition zone (VTZ)) have already been installed and tested in France. Nevertheless, the combination and the final objective of these facilities represent an innovation, whose tests and analyses will allow a major advance in the field of the circular water economy.
• The treatment unit is composed in particular of a succession of advanced and innovative processes, including “barrel” reverse osmosis composed of more than 200 membrane elements each equipped with a sensor and occupying a small area footprint.
• No reuse loop for drinking water, including a nature-based solution, has been identified either in Europe or internationally. The use of a VTZ as a new brick in a reuse loop opens up new possibilities, improving the characteristics of water (renaturation). Various new methods of remediation, renaturation of water, to restore to the treated water a natural character before its discharge into the natural environment will be deployed.

• Jourdain allows the adaptation of existing approaches to an IPR (indirect potable reuse) project, particularly with regard to community engagement approaches: the demonstrator will serve as an object of consultation to build the full-scale solution; and economic approaches: indicators/evaluation methods will be adapted to this innovative configuration.
• As part of Jourdain, methodological innovations are developed specifically, starting with the implementation of impact monitoring methods in the Jaunay reservoir, or the study of various filter media in the VTZ whose function would be to renature the water.
• In addition, the open-demonstrator system will contribute to the deployment of technical and methodological solutions on the Jourdain program.
• The Jordan program is an opportunity to use design-build contracts for the construction of the treatment unit and the Vegetated Transition Zone. This type of procedure is particularly suitable for this type of innovative approach, allowing companies to submit their best proposals to achieve the defined objectives.
• For research partnerships, Vendée Eau also uses a Call for Expression of Interest (EoI), a procedure not provided for by the Public Procurement Code, but which allows a public person to solicit private initiative to promote the emergence of projects.

A true showcase program, Jourdain appears as a driving force to advance knowledge on the reuse of treated wastewater to indirectly produce drinking water. The Jourdain Demonstrator could not have been designed without a spirit of openness to the world of research, to public and private actors on all the innovative components of the project (scientific, social, regulatory, methodological, financial…).

“Open Demonstrator”: what are we talking about?

The Open Demonstrator Jourdain is part of a collaborative logic, knowledge creation, added value, economy through actors who come to take advantage of the program, its terrain (e.g., infrastructure), its organization and its reputation to develop knowledge, test technologies, capitalize on the data generated. A space for sharing, reflection, and collaboration where the collaborators can build the world of tomorrow.

Close to the principle of “Living Lab”, it revolves around several key concepts:

• Innovation and the creation of new services;
• The logic of collective intelligence;
• Deployment in real development conditions, with the objective of replicability;
• Information, communication, training and awareness of new practices.

Open Demonstrator’s approach should make it possible to take a step forward and accelerate the implementation of the innovative and ambitious Jourdain program. The application of the Open Demonstrator concept began in 2022 with the implementation of treatment solutions.

A “Win-win” logic to encourage innovation

The Jourdain program aims to create a dynamic business-university dynamic by integrating innovative start-ups, research centers, French and international universities working on the water cycle.

The implementation of an Open Demonstrator must be a win-win for all the actors involved. This very open approach has many benefits for partners wishing to join this program:

Candidates interested in the Open Demonstrator Jourdain will have at their disposal an application field as part of the development of their innovation. The path of an innovation can be integrated on a TRL scale.

The deployment of the Jourdain Open Demonstrator

The activities related to the deployment of the Open Demonstrator will extend until 2026 and will be broken down into several phases. It will be deployed according to 2 related axes:

• Through the partnership with Veolia as part of the contract for the construction and operation of the treatment unit via a platform designed to host R&D and innovation projects on experimental water treatment sectors. It takes the form of an external slab where it is impossible to install treatment/refining containers.
• In the form of a call for expressions of interest that will be proposed by Vendée Eau. After a first stage of publication and consultation, the EoI will be finalized at the end of 2023. Depending on the innovation projects selected via the EoI and the actions concerned, the deployment schedule will be adapted and aligned with the specific needs of the projects, over the 3 and a half years dedicated. Veolia’s innovation projects will be carried out in parallel. An open R&D hall is planned on the site of the treatment unit, making it available to future research and innovation partners (research centers, universities, start-ups, etc.).

“Soon, here, more information about the EoI”