Four innovative solutions rewarded by the BlueArk Challenge
A filter to remineralise rainwater collected in isolated, high-altitude locations, dynamic valves integrated into the network and coupled with algorithms to prevent drinking water stagnation, a microturbine for measuring and adjusting irrigation flow rates that uses artificial intelligence to adapt to the weather and the needs of the soil, and infrared cameras to determine torrent flow rates: these four innovative concepts have been rewarded as part of the 2nd BlueArk Challenge call for solutions. Awarded a cheque for CHF 10,000 by a multi-disciplinary jury, they will each receive assistance from BlueArk and the challenge sponsors to facilitate their short-term development and rapidly implement working prototypes.
The BlueArk Challenge is an initiative of the BlueArk Entremont Innovation Cluster. In autumn 2021, 14 challenges were posted online by eight different local authorities, municipalities or water-related businesses in French-speaking Switzerland. In total, 31 different companies or institutions submitted 22 concrete solutions in response to these challenges. The BlueArk Challenge thus mobilised a vast entrepreneurial community.
‘The proposals were very good and the jury had a difficult choice to make. It also shows that there is a lot of interest in the water sector and that innovative solutions can be proposed,’ explains Anyssia Bovier, coordinator of the BlueArk Challenge. In the end, the jury selected four high-potential solutions.
A filter and a valve controlled by artificial intelligence...
The first of these is being developed by RWB Valais. It is designed for mountain huts and other outlying structures at high altitude with no connection to the drinking water supply. The idea is to use and adapt an existing filter to purify water from a pond or rainwater collected from a roof. The filter will have to be adapted to rainwater and the extreme conditions of high altitude. This project also won the special ‘Coup de Coeur’ prize awarded by Groupe Mutuel. In addition to the CHF 10,000 prize money, RWB Valais will receive a further CHF 3,000 to implement its proposal.
BG Ingénieurs Conseils, an engineering firm, came up with the second winning solution. It proposes a hydraulic solution to improve the quality of drinking water, by limiting the stagnation of water in the networks (for example in tourist resorts during the off-peak season). The system involves installing one or more motorised valves, fitted with a pressure sensor and controlled locally by an algorithm.
... an irrigation system and watercourse monitoring
Italian companies Advanced Microturbines and Rain are the third winners of the BlueArk Challenge. They have come up with an innovative turbine capable of optimising irrigation water distribution. Thanks to sensors and artificial intelligence, the system is capable of limiting water consumption by 80% to irrigate crops and deliver watering at the right time and in the right quantity. The microturbine supplies the entire irrigation system and sensors with electricity. A pilot installation could soon be set up in the Valais, in the municipality of Salquenen, which has already won the Alpiq prize.
The jury also rewarded the solution designed by Precidata, in collaboration with CSEM in Neuchâtel. The aim is to be able to measure the flow of torrents, streams and bisses without any contact or heavy intervention in the watercourse bed. It is based on a system consisting of two infrared cameras filming the flow from two different angles, enabling it to be reconstructed in three dimensions. The energy-independent system communicates wirelessly with a supervision server.
Prototypes in the pipeline
‘These four solutions will be developed over the next few months, with the partners involved and those who have set themselves challenges. The idea is to be able to produce working prototypes quickly, and then to pass on the benefits to other customers in the water sector’, says Laurent Horvath, the driving force behind BlueArk Entremont.
BlueArk Entremont will provide the four prize-winners with coaching services, particularly on the economic side, as well as the opportunity to take part in various themed workshops. The projects can be developed in Entremont, but also elsewhere in French-speaking Switzerland.
A fifth BlueArk Challenge is scheduled for 2022. Public authorities and regional service providers wishing to propose a water management issue for the innovation challenge can already get in touch with the Entremont BlueArk Innovation Cluster.
Source: CP BlueArk Challenge
Photo credit: JF Concept
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