South East Water’s “major leap forward” – Data Digest November 2024
In this ‘Deployment’ themed edition:
South East Water’s “major leap forward” is Advancing Pipe Durability with TD.Cloud
Realising outcomes with TD·Cloud and Intelligent Water Networks
27,000km of pipeline network, 1.8 million residents served, billions of data points across underground infrastructure maintained for over 50 years… The scale of South East Water ’s challenges are never insignificant. Keeping pace with the risk of service disruption caused by water hammer-induced leaks, cracks and breaks is high on the priority list.
A little over a year ago, SpiralData commenced trials of the AI-powered TD·Cloud platform with South East Water, in response to the utility seeking a solution for proactive monitoring and response to high pressure water transients. Given that potable water pipe infrastructure is expected to last up to a century, the means to get ahead of tomorrow’s problems places the utility in a different position to the typical ‘break/fix’ maintenance cycle.
The engagement took place through the Intelligent Water Networks (IWN) , facilitating innovation in water management by coupling the scale of a utility with the agility of a data science practice.?
Through the use of high-speed pressure sensors and machine learning, TD·Cloud has provided South East Water and SpiralData’s data scientists with the means to monitor pressure transients at >97.5% detection accuracy. The TD·Cloud technology is built on Amazon Web Services (AWS) , suited for supporting intense data processing through Machine Learning algorithms and the need for storing high levels of data collected by the solution. South East Water are pleased with how the solution repositions the utility in embracing innovation through AI and MLOps:
“With the TD?Cloud solution, we've taken a major leap forward in trialling technical solutions for water network management… I am profoundly grateful for the support of SpiralData, IWN and AWS… Together, we are setting new standards for the industry."
Ninad Dharmadhikari, MIEAust , Product Development Manager (Systems), South East Water
Since the initial trials, South East Water and SpiralData are working together to realise the scaling of the TD·Cloud platform across notorious sections of the pipeline network.?
It’s through this journey to scale where the utility can really assess the potential of an enterprise-wide roll out. Ensuring water resilience and utilising solutions that create resource and financial sustainability are critical for an Australian utility against the backdrop of climate change and energy transitioning. South East Water is now on the path to long-term transformation.
If you’re keen to understand further the operational impact of this proactive solutioning, dig into the details through the South East Water Case Study.
Royal Australian Navy embracing the potential of AI
SpiralData Among Key Players in AI Trials for Hunter Class Frigate Project
Four Australian SMEs—SpiralData, Insight Via Artificial Intelligence, Overlay and Open Welding—are set to trial innovative technologies at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide, aimed at enhancing efficiency in constructing Hunter Class Frigates for the Royal Australian Navy .?
The testing will occur at the Line Zero facility, an innovative collaboration between BAE Systems Australia and Flinders University. These companies will leverage AI and advanced sensors to improve data capture and application. BAE Systems Australia Sharon Wilson emphasised the importance of testing in a controlled environment to mitigate risks, as the project aims to empower workers with insights and streamline processes in shipbuilding.
Kale Needham, SpiralData’s CEO was pleased with the opportunity:
“Line Zero is an ideal facility for deploying our AI Briefcase technology into, allowing for rapid, agile and, most importantly, secure problem-solving using responsible AI.”
All in One to solve Pressure-Induced Fatigue in your Pipeline
Improving your utility’s pipe network management is difficult!?
It requires solution knowledge, procurement, field services, technical capability and data expertise to make difficult decisions on how, where and what is affecting the pipeline network. This can be fraught with risk. The potential to ‘do nothing’ on pressure management can be appealing, but at what cost - More breaks? Reduced asset life? Accelerating capital spend? Reduced customer service levels?
To remove the difficulty of executing better transient and pressure management, TD·Cloud and Detection Services combines Field Services, Sensors, Software and Data Science expertise in a convenient all in one solution.?
Minimise complex stakeholder engagements through an all-in-one turnkey approach. Take a closer look at what transient management could remove from your decisioning difficulties.?
How soon will Pipeline Fatigue lead to Failure?
Holistically tackle a leading cause of pipeline failure–pressure transients.
Detection Services Pty Ltd and TD·Cloud are encouraging those in the water industry to take a step back and consider the bigger (and more costly) picture when it comes to pressure transients.?
While discussion around pressure transients/water hammer has highlighted the immediate impact of removing pipeline failures from utility infrastructure, a holistic, proactive approach lends itself to long-term outcomes that have a broader repercussion. The potential for catastrophic failure, leading to costly repairs, water loss and service disruptions is lurking in ongoing undetected pressure transient events.
In an article citing an ongoing Case Study with SA Water, Detection Services and TD·Cloud proposes that identifying and mitigating pressure transients through AI/Big Data can have operational and service quality impacts too. Over 97.5% accuracy in detection rates is a key step in tackling a problem that dominates the causes of pipeline failure and threatens network reliability.
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