Optimisation software to boost Melbourne's water network

Melbourne Water has partnered with waste and water resource management company SUEZ in a project to optimise and automate distribution throughout its drinking water supply network and reduce its overall energy consumption.

SUEZ has been awarded a contract to implement its Aquadvanced Energy solution across the drinking water network, which supplies residents with over 400 billion litres of water each year. The real-time optimisation software is designed to automate scheduling of production and management of distribution throughout every stage, ensuring high-quality water is delivered when and where it is needed at the lowest possible cost.

Aquadvanced Energy has been successfully deployed across numerous networks in the USA and Europe, and was adopted across Hunter Water’s networks on NSW’s Central Coast earlier this year following trials in 2018. The system has been shown to reduce energy costs while maximising operational performance, water quality and energy efficiency for an enhanced environmental footprint.

Evan Atkinson, General Manager of SUEZ Smart Solutions, said the implementation will be rolled out in three phases over two years, due for completion by mid-2021. The first phase will see Aquadvanced Energy implemented on the Winneke-Water Treatment Plant supply system leading to the Melbourne CBD before subsequent extension across the remainder of Melbourne Water’s network.

“Our Aquadvanced Energy solution is a proven solution that remains at the leading edge of innovation in water sustainability and smart networks,” Atkinson said. “We’re seeing incredible results applying this solution in diverse networks both overseas and here in Australia, generating network efficiencies and cost savings.

“Our objective is to drive increased network resilience, reduce likelihood of water quality events and greater operational consistency for Melbourne Water and the city’s residents. Embedding this technology will also enable the network to further leverage its hydro generation assets and exploit opportunities in the evolving energy market.”

The project is expected to realise significant energy and cost savings for Melbourne Water and to help futureproof its workforce through the capture and retention of network knowledge. Indeed, Melbourne Water Automation Team Leader Russell Riding said that the move to automation of the water network is a fundamental step towards achieving the company’s ambitious targets.

“Melbourne Water is committed to reducing our carbon emissions and our energy consumption, which ultimately will provide value for our customers,” Riding said. “The implementation of Aquadvanced Energy supports the digital transformation of our network.”

Image: Melbourne Water 2019.