As you may know, the demand for energy has been growing and will continue to grow. Factors such as population growth, rising standards of living in developing countries, and newer trends like the increasing demand for data centers to support artificial intelligence tools will drive the need for abundant, reliable, and affordable energy. Energy is synonymous with prosperity, and to meet future demands, experts advocate for an “all of the above” energy strategy.

Simultaneously, the world faces the challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This creates a dual challenge: producing more energy while reducing overall carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.

 An often-overlooked key enabler of our broad energy industry is water. Water and wastewater management are essential in nearly all forms of energy production and decarbonization. Given the finite amount of water on Earth and relatively small reserves of fresh water, it is crucial to use water wisely. Since we cannot create more water, we must meet demand through better global planning, process optimization, water reuse, and utilizing less conventional industrial water sources.

In this talk, Shil discussed the interdependency of water and energy, including decarbonization efforts. He delved into specific applications and highlight the critical role of chemical engineering in navigating these constraints to enable energy prosperity.

About the Speaker

Shiladitya Basu

Principal Chemical Engineer

Stantec

Shil is a Principal Chemical Engineer and an Industrial Water Practice leader at Stantec. He holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University and is a Professional Engineer in Texas and Massachusetts. Mr. Basu began his career in 2006 with Siemens Water Technologies, Memcor Division, which is now a part of Dupont, and worked in the municipal water industry for six years before moving to Houston to apply membrane and chemical processes for water treatment in the oil and gas industry. His scope of work has grown to envelop industrial water needs holistically and at Stantec he works to connect the many dots that the industrial client base needs to ensure reliable water sourcing, treatment, reuse, and discharge compliance.