Project:
Safe Smart Systems
Using artificial intelligence to fundamentally improve the long-term operational resilience of clean water systems.
This project sets out to demonstrate the art of the possible and the next generation of smart water systems, informing the future of operations enabled by autonomous control.
It will aim to demonstrate a future water system that is connected, secure, scalable and provides enhanced benefits for customers, society and the environment.
Why is this project important?
Water is an essential resource, and its supply is finite. The global water industry is now facing a significant set of challenges, including rising temperatures and a growing population. As the pressure on the UK’s water network increases, we need to look closely at our operations, ensuring they are resilient and fit for purpose.
To achieve this, we’re working on a transformation that will address the way we operate and fully embrace the digital and technological opportunities before us. With this in mind, we can continue to improve service to our customers and deliver enhanced environmental and social benefits, now and in the future.
Our long-term vision
An automated, connected system that delivers a clean, sustainable supply of water for future generations.
The project mission
To develop and evidence a scalable and adoptable safe smart system within the Anglian Water Incubator Region; with the capability and culture to operate; that is validated by the industry and provides the path which can be followed by others to embed resilience and benefits for customers, society and the environment. This work is only one step in the journey to achieving our long-term vision, and on this page we’re focusing on the outcomes that this project will achieve.
Project Timeline
There are five key outputs from the project:
Through system thinking we are creating a roadmap to our long-term vision. These key deliverables are the building blocks of that roadmap; all intrinsically linked, and none as powerful alone as when used together.
Foundations and building blocks
The underpinning structures, data frameworks and architectures that promote, manage and support the digital representation of a water system. In collaboration with the National Digital Twin Programme, this includes developing a draft water sector domain ontology that is compatible with the Information Exchange Standard – a common language which makes it easier to share data across organisations and sectors.
Playbook
An industry playbook for how companies can follow the journey that we go on and ensure that solutions and learnings are transferable and adaptable.
Tried and tested news ways of working
New ways of working that are embedded into operational teams, creating a dynamic environment that leverages the unique strengths of people and data-driven solutions.
Next Generation Infrastructure
Implementation of automated physical infrastructure and smart Operational Technology (OT) hardware like valves, pumps, sensors, edge processing and computing, through all layers of a Smart Water Network.
AI decision engine
Development and deployment of a systems based AI Decision Engine —a digital solution which takes a system level approach to decision-making.
If you have any questions about our Safe Smart Systems project, you can contact the team via the email address below.