Enhancing data to realise smart networks

It's #TechnicalTuesday for #teamWRc and Richard Foster is talking about the importance of enhancing data to realise smart networks.

Data analytics can give a good understanding of the influence of a combination of factors on performance of existing water distribution systems and can predict performance when those factors change. However, when major changes occur in the network, such as rezoning, replacement or refurbishment of network assets, or installation of new assets, data analytics needs time to process and learn how the modified network operates and responds to events.

In contrast, near-live network analysis (based on hydraulic models) can give immediate understanding of the impact of changes and enables operational staff in control rooms to quickly view the results of what-if analyses to make the correct intervention decisions.

A combination of the two techniques gives water companies a powerful resource in understanding both the current and future network performance and enables staff to head-off increasing issues which may result in network failure and negative customer experience.

In summary - smart networks, smart models and smart decisions.