Catalan companies will have to adapt to a new climate context marked by water scarcity, extreme weather episodes and the need to use renewable energy. And this adaptation can only be done with a great strategic vision and a clear commitment to technology. This is the main conclusion reached at the Digital Days 2024, the reference event of the Cluster Digital de Catalunya and which has brought together representatives of more than a hundred companies and organizations in the country.
Digital Days 2024 began with an online session in which it was possible to learn in detail which climate scenario companies should prepare for. The TV3 and Catalunya Ràdio meteorologist, Gemma Puig, explained that "rising temperatures and episodes of extreme drought will become more and more frequent" and that "in a few years Catalunya may have a climate similar to that of Andalusia".
Faced with this scenario, companies must make important strategic decisions, both to reduce their carbon footprint as much as possible and to optimize the resources and energy available. In this regard, the testimonies and reflections of Joan Vila, CEO of LC Paper, a company from Besalú that manufactures and exports paper to northern Europe, were heard; from Bàrbara Urdillo, the head of decarbonisation at Grup ROCA, the manufacturer of bathroom products that has factories all over the world; and Josep Bassa, the site director of ROCHE Diagnostics, a Swiss multinational that develops products for health and well-being.
The three explained their projects to adapt to this situation and which aspects were of particular concern to them for the future. Collecting data, setting ambitious goals and selecting the right technologies to achieve them shape the roadmap shared by these companies.
The second day took place at the headquarters of the Innovation Center that Oracle has in Torre Glòries. Two round tables were held there on the impact of technology on water and energy management. The first panel, made in collaboration with the Catalan Water Partnership, included the testimonies of Xavier Torret, partner director of BGEO; Jordi Cros, innovation director of ADASA; Thais Fontenelle, business developer of LOBELIA; and the CWP cluster manager, Xavier Amores. The participants commented on different technological solutions that can help predict climatic situations, better manage water networks and optimize industrial and agricultural consumption.
Then it was the turn of the Oracle NetSuite Panel, where Miquel Solé, SQUAREPOINT organization manager; Xavier Garcia, CEO of BETTER CARE and Rocío Tarazaga, Sales Manager Iberia of ORACLE NetSuite shared their experience around this technological platform.
The second and last round table focused on energy. Intensive data analysis and digitization of processes appeared as essential elements that should be adopted in the first instance. On the other hand, technologies such as AI, digital twins or blockchain can present great benefits but for very specific projects in which their suitability is demonstrated. They agreed in this analysis Anna Casas, Spanish Flexibility Lead of OCTOPUS ENERGY; Josep Ramon Ferrer, Sales Director of Public Sector at ITALTEL and Ignacio Moratalla, Utilities pre-Sales Director at AYESA. The round table was moderated by Francesc Ribera, Cluster Manager of the Cluster de l'Energia Eficient de Catalunya.
The Digital Days were closed by the president of the Cluster Digital de Catalunya, Joana Barbany. In his speech he emphasized the idea of "collaboration between organizations to face a shared challenge such as decarbonisation and adaptation to climate change" and pointed out that "technology is the most important element in the "time to face this situation and, at the same time, maintain the competitiveness of our country's industrial sector".
Digital Days 2024 ended with a networking lunch and a group visit to the spectacular Torre Glòries viewpoint.
