BlueArk Challenge rewards four innovative, sustainable projects
Continuous monitoring of wastewater thanks to artificial intelligence, better quantification of the value of water via a digital tool, analysis of water quality directly at its source thanks to a connected container, and preventing water hammer in water pipes by means of an innovative solution: these four concrete ideas were rewarded as part of the fifth BlueArk Challenge. Awarded a prize by a multi-disciplinary jury, each received a cheque for CHF 10,000, which was presented to them on Thursday at the Smart Water conference in Le Châble. The companies involved in these projects will receive support from BlueArk Entremont to facilitate their short-term development and rapidly implement functional prototypes.
The BlueArk Challenge call for solutions is an initiative of the BlueArk Entremont Innovation Cluster, in collaboration with ALTIS and The Ark Foundation. In September 2022, nine challenges, proposed by five water managers, were put online. This autumn, 19 companies and institutions submitted 13 concrete solutions to meet these challenges. The BlueArk Challenge has thus mobilized a vast entrepreneurial community. "The proposals received should make it possible to solve four of the nine challenges submitted. This is remarkable, and we're very pleased with the quality of the submissions," explains Anyssia Bovier, coordinator of the BlueArk Challenge.
A platform that combines sensors and data
The first solution selected by the jury is provided by the Norwegian company InfoTiles. It detects the intrusion of parasitic water. These intrusions allow clear water to enter the sewer network, overloading the system unnecessarily, with the risk of overflowing. InfoTiles offers a digital platform that enables continuous monitoring of a community's wastewater network and identification of the various sources of interfering clear water. This control avoids additional costs for both wastewater treatment and network sizing.
Using artificial intelligence, this platform processes not only sensor data, but also hydrological, meteorological and technical information (SCADA and GIS). This solution enables proactive, intelligent management of wastewater-related problems.
The battle against water hammer in pipes
BG Consulting Engineers is the second winner of the BlueArk Challenge. It has submitted its solution, called HammerSyn, to prevent water hammer in water pipes. Water hammer is a hydraulic phenomenon caused by a wide variation in the flow velocity of a liquid, when valves or pumps open or close abruptly. It can lead to leaks, deformations or even pipe breaks. To remedy this, protective devices can be installed for each element of the network. A very costly method, however. BG Ingénieurs Conseils is proposing to develop a methodology for identifying optimal solutions, which best pool the effectiveness of protective equipment. This search for synergy will ensure protection while reducing the number and cost of equipment. This solution, which will be tested in Fully, is a decision-making tool.
Better quantify the value of water
The third winning solution was submitted by the Valais-based CREALP research center, in partnership with Hydro Exploitation. As part of the return of hydroelectric concessions, the municipalities of Valais are being asked to consider the future use of their water resources. To help them in this process, CREALP will develop a tool for multifunctional management and evaluation of the future economic profitability of water resources. As a first step, a functional prototype dedicated to the commune of Ayent will be set up.
The tool is designed as an online platform, easily accessible and usable by non-specialists, which will automatically calculate the long-term economic profitability of water resource use for each possible scenario, integrating technical, economic and environmental aspects.
Control water directly at source
The jury also rewarded the solution designed by Romag Aquacare, which enables water quality to be monitored at source, to prevent any risk of contamination. To achieve this, the company, assisted by the Fribourg School of Engineering and Architecture and the SME Earlybyte, will develop a connected stainless steel container.
This innovative receptacle will not only settle the water coming out of the spring, but will also collect a large number of data (turbidity, ph, temperature, conductivity...) and automatically send them to the water network manager. The whole system is energy self-sufficient, thanks to solar panels or a small hydroelectric turbine. The first prototype will be installed in Val de Bagnes.
Prototypes in the pipeline
These four solutions will be developed over the next few months, in conjunction with the partners involved in the challenges. The idea is to be able to rapidly produce functional applications, and then pass them on to other customers in the water sector.
BlueArk Entremont will provide the four prizewinners with coaching services, particularly on the economic side. A sixth BlueArk Challenge is scheduled for 2023. Public authorities and territorial service providers wishing to propose a water management problem to the innovation challenge can already get in touch with BlueArk Entremont.
Source : The Ark
