The BlueArk Challenge rewards four innovative and sustainable projects

Continuous monitoring of wastewater using artificial intelligence, better quantification of the value of water using a digital tool, analysis of water quality directly at source using a connected container, and preventing water hammer in water pipes using an innovative solution: these four concrete ideas have been rewarded as part of the fifth BlueArk Challenge. Awarded a cheque for CHF 10,000 by a multi-disciplinary jury, they were presented with their prizes at the Smart Waterconference in Le Châble on Thursday . 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 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 in response to these challenges. The BlueArk Challenge has thus mobilised 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,’ says Anyssia Bovier, coordinator of the BlueArk Challenge.
A platform combining sensors and data
The first solution selected by the jury is from the Norwegian company InfoTiles. It detects the intrusion of parasitic water. These intrusions allow clear water to enter the sewer system, overloading it unnecessarily and leading to the risk of overflows. InfoTiles offers a digital platform for continuously monitoring a municipality’s wastewater network and identifying the various sources of parasitic clear water. This control avoids additional costs for both wastewater treatment and network sizing.
Using artificial intelligence, this platform processes sensor data, as well as 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 that results from wide variations in the flow velocity of a liquid and is caused by the sudden opening or closing of valves or pumps. It can lead to leaks, deformations or even burst pipes. To remedy this, protective devices can be installed for each element of the network. But this is a very costly method. BG Ingénieurs Conseils is proposing to develop a methodology for identifying optimal solutions that maximise the effectiveness of protective equipment. This search for synergy will make it possible to ensure protection while reducing the number and cost of pieces 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 research centre CREALP, in partnership with Hydro Exploitation. As part of the return of hydroelectric concessions, the municipalities in the Valais are being asked to consider the future use of their water. To help them in this process, CREALP will be developing a tool for multifunctional management and assessment of the future economic profitability of water resources. A functional prototype dedicated to the commune of Ayent will be set up in the first stage.
The tool is designed in the form of an online platform that is easily accessible and usable by non-specialists. For each possible scenario, it will automatically calculate the long-term economic profitability of using water resources by integrating technical, economic and environmental aspects.
Controlling water directly at source
The jury also singled out the solution designed by Romag Aquacare to monitor water quality at source and prevent any risk of contamination. To achieve this, the company, with the help of the Fribourg School of Engineering and Architecture and the SME Earlybyte, is going to develop a connected stainless steel container.
This innovative receptacle will not only be able to decant the water that comes out of the spring, but also and above all to collect a large amount of data (turbidity, ph, temperature, conductivity, etc.) and automatically send it to the water network manager. All of this will be 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, with the partners involved and those who have set themselves challenges. The idea is to rapidly develop functional applications, which can then be used by other customers in the water sector.
BlueArk Entremont will be providing coaching services to the four winners, particularly on the economic side. A sixth BlueArk Challenge is scheduled for 2023. Public authorities and regional service providers wishing to propose a water management problem to the innovation challenge can now contact BlueArk Entremont.
Contact
BlueArk Entremont SA
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1934 Le Châble
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