Siemens makes it easier for water utilities to benefit from artificial intelligence

Siemens, a leading technology company, has expanded its software portfolio for the water industry, enabling its customers to optimize their plant operations using artificial intelligence – without the need for technical expertise. These self-service solutions enable users to address the most pressing issues in water and wastewater operations: reducing water loss, preventing pollution from sewers, and ensuring the reliability of treatment assets. The effect of these applications is also a contribution to greater sustainability overall, as the worlds water resources can be better protected.Digital technologies have not yet been widely adopted in the water sector so far, says Anja Eimer, General Manager Global Water Business at Siemens. The existing OT and IT device landscape of is complex, skilled workers are in short supply, and the business benefits of many digital applications have often been unclear. With our new software offerings, we are adressing these conditions and enabling water companies to perform AI-based operational analyses.

The new offerings include digitalization solutions with pre-integrated hardware and software. This means that AI-based analytics applications have been combined with corresponding sensors from Siemens to make the installment processes as easy as possible and to achieve faster analytics results. To this end, Siemens has launched the new SIWA Leak Finder and SIWA Blockage Predictor apps available on the Siemens Xcelerator Marketplace.

AI to combat leaks and pipe blockages

The SIWA Leak Finder app uses data from smart flow meters to reduce water losses from pipe leaks by up to 50 percent. The apps AI analyzes flow data and identifies leaks as small as 0.2 liters per second. While data from any flow meter can be used for the app, the integration of the Siemens Sitrans FM Mag8000 sensor eliminates the need for specialized knowledge or Siemens services for installation.

Clogged pipes in sewer systems can lead to pollution that also affects households and the environment. Inflow and infiltration (I&I) reduce the effectiveness of the wastewater network and can lead to expensive investments. Siemens SIWA Blockage Predictor application applies AI to water level data from sewers collected by sensors such as the Sitrans LR110 radar level transmitter to detect blockages, inflow and infiltration. Based on a single sensor installation, the app can be used in the event of network overflows or in manhole chambers. The application finds nine out of ten blockages and saves users time by automatically generating performance reports for regulators.

Both the SIWA Leak Finder and SIWA Blockage Predictor apps can easily process and analyze operational data from smart sensors via a connection to the cloud without the need for additional IT expertise. In this way, the sensor data is available in the respective application within two hours. The apps AI is automatically trained and implemented with the sensor data from the day of installation. Cybersecurity is also taken into account in the design of the apps. Mendix, Siemens low-code platform, can also be used to create interfaces to the respective companys IT making it possible to connect the data from the SIWA apps to ERP systems. Siemens expects these applications to typically pay for themselves in less than 36 months.

Siemens at IFAT 2024

In addition to AI-based applications and their integration with smart sensors for the more efficient and sustainable operation of water infrastructures, Siemens will showcase its entire automation and digitalization portfolio for the water industry at the IFAT 2024 trade fair. One focus will be on cybersecurity and how water infrastructure operators can protect themselves from cyberattacks. Siemens will showcase blueprints and guidelines for secure network and system architectures as well as proven, certified cybersecurity solutions. Siemens also provides assistance with the implementation of the NIS 2 Directive, which will go into effect in the EU in October 2024.

Furthermore, Siemens offers a standardized approach to groundwater well monitoring from a single source. Designed as an end-to-end solution, it includes instrumentation, communication, remote control, and intelligent data analysis to meet current and future regulatory requirements and enable scalable and efficient water management. Siemens also offers a range of technologies for utilities seeking to improve their energy efficiency, from the Digital Process Twin to multimodal energy optimization.

For more information about Siemens at IFAT 2024, please visit:https://www.siemens.com/global/en/company/fairs-events/fairs/ifat.html

Learn more about the integrated Siemens portfolio for the water and wastewater industry:https://xcelerator.siemens.com/global/en/industries/water.html

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Siemens Digital Industries (DI)is an innovation leader in automation and digitalization. Closely collaborating with partners and customers, DI drives the digital transformation in the process and discrete industries. With its Digital Enterprise portfolio, DI provides companies of all sizes with an end-to-end set of products, solutions and services to integrate and digitalize the entire value chain. Optimized for the specific needs of each industry, DIs unique portfolio supports customers to achieve greater productivity and flexibility. DI is constantly adding innovations to its portfolio to integrate cutting-edge future technologies. Siemens Digital Industries has its global headquarters in Nuremberg, Germany, and has around 72,000 employees internationally.

Siemens AG(Berlin and Munich) is a leading technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare. From more resource-efficient factories, resilient supply chains, and smarter buildings and grids, to cleaner and more comfortable transportation as well as advanced healthcare, the company creates technology with purpose adding real value for customers. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers its customers to transform their industries and markets, helping them to transform the everyday for billions of people. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, a globally leading medical technology provider shaping the future of healthcare.

In fiscal 2023, which ended on September 30, 2023, the Siemens Group generated revenue of 77.8 billion and net income of 8.5 billion. As of September 30, 2023, the company employed around 320,000 people worldwide. Further information is available on the Internet atwww.siemens.com.

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With the Siemens Water (SIWA) applications designed specifically for the water and wastewater industry, operators can optimize energy efficiency, prevent water losses, reduce water pollution, and improve predictive maintenance measures, among other things.