It was only last month when we examined the growth and innovation occurring in Philadelphia's water sector. This week in Toronto, two Philly companies received further validation they are helping the region and state to the forefront of global innovations in the water industry.

BlackGold Biofuels and NovaThermal Energy were named to the Top 50 Water Companies list, chosen by the Artemis Project and announced Tuesday at the Ontario H20 Global Water Leadership Summit. The Artemis Top 50 is meant to be the water industry's benchmark for recognizing innovation and entrepreneurs who are applying technology to meet the world's water challenges.

NovaThermal Energy's innovative wastewater geothermal system dramatically cuts the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in large buildings.

"Our high efficiency system replaces chillers, boilers and cooling towers, not only reducing HVAC cost by as much as 60 percent, but also eliminating the cost and waste of water evaporation from cooling towers," says NovaThermal Energy CEO Elinor Haider.

BlackGold Biofuels has received much attention for its technology that converts greases from the sewer system into biodiesel. The company was recently awarded the Richard Heinberg Sustainability Award, the Stiefel Foundation Award and the first runner-up of the Imagine H20 Water-Energy Nexus Prize.

"BlackGold provides technology and services that recover energy and bioproducts from wastewater, creating profitable assets from pollution liabilities," says Emily Landsburg, BlackGold's CEO.

JOE PETRUCCI is managing editor of Flying Kite. Send feedback here.

Photo:
Part of the BlackGold team (courtesy of BlackGold Biofuels)