This year marks the 30th anniversary of our UV portfolio. We’re looking back at exciting developments, proud highlights, and—yes—even a few less successful initiatives, like the Naïade.
From supplying the world’s largest UV drinking water treatment plant to designing a self-sustaining, solar-powered purification system—at Nedap, we foster entrepreneurship and initiative. We’re passionate and driven to make a sustainable impact.
This mindset helped position Nedap as a leading supplier in UV lamp driver technology. Not every project turned out to be a commercial success, but each one brought valuable lessons.
Tonnie Telgenhof Oude Koehorst, who has been with Nedap for over forty years, looks back.
Nedap has always had a strong position as specialist in the development of electronics.
In 1992 UV technology gained momentum in water treatment. Historically, chlorination was the most used technology to treat water. Following several outbreaks of waterborne diseases caused by highly chlorine-resistant microbes in the USA in 1993, UV technology obtained global recognition. UV technology proved effective against Legionella and even highly chlorine-resistant microbes such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium.
“I’ve always been able to do my own thing. To me, that feels like entrepreneurship within Nedap—and I’m proud of that.”
About Tonnie Telgenhof Oude Koehorst
- Has been working at Nedap since 1983; started as a 24-year-old Engineering graduate.
- Feels at home operating at the intersection of technology and commerce.
- Co-initiator and driving force behind Naïade.
- Plays bass in big bands and soul bands.
- Still drives the same Renault 17 Gordini he drove when he started at Nedap in 1983.
In 1995, Nedap produced its first lamp driver for 3kW medium pressure UV lamps –. The electronic driver replaced the electromagnetic ballast technology, that was the most used technology at its time. To this day, we continue to supply this driver in its third generation.
From the start of the millennium Nedap gradually changed its strategy and decided to stop designing and producing customer-specific products. Instead, it started developing its own product portfolio. This made the UV solutions scalable and created opportunities for further growth.
A big achievement was the supply of our UV lamp drivers to world’s largest UV drink water treatment plant near New York, producing 8.3 billion liter of water per day.
“After visiting the Catskill-Delaware Water Ultraviolet Disinfection Facility, where a technical room was filled with Nedap drivers, I couldn’t stop smiling the entire flight back to the Netherlands.”
At the time, Nedap already had in-house expertise in UV light, solar energy, electronics, and power supplies. The team began thinking: how else could this technology be used to create meaningful impact?
That question sparked the initial idea for Naïade. “We were at a reception,” Tonnie recalls with a grin, “with a glass of wine, a glass of beer, and a glass of technology. And someone said: what if you could use solar power to make drinking water? For remote villages in Africa or India.” That conversation led to the development of a robust, portable water purification system, simple, autonomous, and reliable. Dirty water went in at the top; safe, bacteria-free drinking water came out at the bottom. “ We had an idea, we believed in it and we started building – even before we had a business plan.”
Naïade was technically well thought-out. Water passed through a pre-filter and UV unit, powered by a solar panel and standard car battery. “One unit can provide clean drinking water to around 400 children a day. If you do the math over ten years, that comes out to about one to one-and-a-half euros per child per year. That’s nothing.”
Reactions at trade shows and among customers were enthusiastic. More than a thousand systems were built and delivered, including to China, India, and Rwanda. In Rwanda, the system led to a 40% increase in school attendance. “Those children used to suffer from chronic diarrhea. Not anymore.”
Implementation was not always smooth. Cables were chewed through by monkeys, components disappeared, and solar panels turned up as roof covers. “We quickly learned that you always need someone on site—someone who knows the people, understands the system, maintains it, and genuinely takes ownership.”
A local partner organization in Rwanda made all the difference. “There are still about twenty units running there, supported by a local couple. And it works.”
Despite its potential, Naïade never evolved into a sustainable business model. “In many countries, water is free, or people simply collect it from rivers. The idea of paying for water isn’t part of daily life.” That made it challenging to introduce a product that required upfront investment, no matter how low the long-term costs. Introducing new technology into existing ecosystems also proved complex. Many non-profit organizations already had their own solutions and well-established networks.
“It’s important to understand that every region and organization works differently,” says Tonnie. “To make a real difference, you need strong local partnerships and people who truly believe in the solution.” In some regions, practical challenges such as logistics, regulations, and administrative processes slowed implementation. “You need someone on the ground who understands the local dynamics and can build lasting trust. That’s essential for long-term success.”
Naïade also provided valuable lessons within Nedap. The project showed that high quality technology alone is not enough. Local partnerships, education, and distribution are just as important.
Above all, Naïade taught Tonnie that idealism and realism must go hand in hand. “We didn’t achieve financial success, but we did create impact, gained valuable experience and built a strong reputation; something that still benefits our UV solutions today.”
This insight also reflects one of Nedap’s key success factors: strong, long-term partnerships with customers—some of whom we’ve been working with for decades. We’re genuinely grateful for that trust. It makes all the difference.
