Real Time Information Management

 Real Time Information Management
CONCEPT
An efficient information management and the ability to anticipate problems or plan operations in an efficient way constitute critical aspects for companies, both because of more demanding environmental legislation and the need for efficiency increase in system exploration, as well as an increment in safety and information availability to the consumer and the general public. AQUASAFE platform aims to increase efficiency in operations management, providing real time information and its perfect integration with forecast and diagnostics tools. According to the concepts implemented in the AQUASAFE platform, this integration is achieved by the management of measured data (sensors, remote detection) and modelled data (water distribution, wastewater, receiving waters, meteorology, etc.) in a uniform way. General scheme of the AQUASAFE approach The measured data may be obtained from classic sampling or be aquired in real time. Models may be executed in diagnostic mode, to simulate scenarios, or periodically in forecast mode. This methodology allows a real time management of the necessary data to characterize water quantity and quality with a high space and time continuity. 2 | P a g e www.hidromod.com AQUASAFE works as an integration element for models, external data sources and Scada systems, allowing: Modelling results availability in real time, through the integration of Scada systems or other external data source with models, without human intervention; Anticipation of problematic situations through the creation of personalized alarms, combining data from several sources (real or modelled); The launch of automatic personalized scenario simulation processes, to assess management options in real time; Detection of leakages and overflows in real time; Automatic report generation of modelling results and/or measures, based on user predefined templates; A practical way to use modelling results in the operation room, through the know‐
how of current users. AQUASAFE also provides tailor‐made solutions, being compatible with (or easily adaptable to) several models (water distribution and drainage, run‐off, meteorology, waves, etc.) and databases. It includes OPC protocol based routines to interact directly with Scada systems and also the possibility to customise interfaces according to the profiles of different users. AQUASAFE also has a monitoring campaign management module, specially customized to manage all information related to water quality control procedures, including information management in GIS environments and automatic production of reports. 3 | P a g e www.hidromod.com REALTIMEPROCESSING
Presently is a common situation the availability of large quantities of data regarding obtained through telemetry and other sensors. In order for this data to be transformed in useful information, it has to be managed, organised and reported. AQUASAFE platform is specially indicated for these tasks due to its ability to configure process and use dynamic search modes adequate to each problem type: water losses, water quality, energy, etc. For example, it is possible to establish integrated flow calculation or statistic variation analysis of water pressure over pre‐established periods, as well as to search, in an automatic and continuous way, discrepancies that indicate anomalous situations such as leaks or non‐planned operations. It is also possible, for example, to integrate all gathered information from water quality monitoring campaigns and report that information based on parameters, system geometry or to search relations with other system variables (pressure, flow, speed). The platform allows the creation of real time data screens (dashboard type) that synthesize gathered information from intelligent network sensors or resulting from the integration of this data type with mathematical modelling results. Example of an AQUASAFE dashboard. Application to Itaquera system (Sabesp) 4 | P a g e www.hidromod.com INTEGRATIONWITHMODELLINGTOOLS
Modelling tools may provide a relevant contribution to the system evaluation phase, but their full potential is revealed when dealing with operational monitoring. Having a functional calibrated model may act as having virtual sensors in any part of the network, allowing not only the analysis of past events but also the prediction of the future. For another side there is an increasing availability of data acquired from telemetry systems which involves a data flow that needs storage and maintenance. This large amount of data usually represents an obstacle for the full use of modelling tools in an operational context. AQUASAFE platform is designed to solve these problems: a structure that allows the management of every information flow necessary to obtain an adequate response in the context of operational systems exploitation. The measured data is imported in real time and models are executed periodically in forecast mode. AQUASAFE also allows the creation of tailor made solutions for the usage of infrastructures already in use by clients (databases, sensors and numeric model structures, etc.), as well as personalised interfaces according to the profiles of different users. 5 | P a g e www.hidromod.com Example of AQUASAFE integration between network model results and telemetry data 6 | P a g e www.hidromod.com ARCHITECTURE
AQUASAFE platform comprises four components: 
AQUASAFE server 
AQUASAFE client 
AQUASAFE desktop gadgets 
AQUASAFE web viewer AQUASAFEServer
AQUASAFE server allows storage and indexing of internally system generated data (models) or through external links (Scada systems, FTP, Open DAP, etc.). Apart from this distributor role, it also allows scheduling of tasks such as model running, report creation, etc. Communication with the server is done through 2 Web services channels: 

A data exchange channel. In this channel, multiple links are allowed; An administration channel. In this channel, simultaneous links are not allowed. 7 | P a g e www.hidromod.com AQUASAFEclient
AQUASAFE client allows connection with the platform’s server, to interpret and manage data and processes. This application allows the creation of a local data cache, thus allowing some options assessment evaluation, based on offline scenarios; nevertheless, the platform’s most interesting potentialities are intimately connected with the system’s exploration for operational scenarios. The functionalities (GIS, graphics, reports, etc.) have been encapsulated in controls which may be grouped by the administrator in workspaces. Each workspace may be attributed to an individual user or a group of users. AQUASAFEdesktopgadgets
Desktop gadgets are a simplification of the available controls in AQUASAFE client. In this case, they are directly placed on the desktop, according to the philosophy of the vista sidebar gadgets. This functionality is directed to those who only want to get a simplified vision of a specific process (for example, middle or upper management employees). AQUASAFEwebviewer
One of the functionalities of the AQUASAFE server is the creation and publication of reports at regular intervals. These reports may vary from publication of xml format data to already treated HDF exports. Web viewers are a set of web applications which permit interaction with this type of publication (for example, HDF online viewer). Userprofile
AQUASAFE platform assumes the existence of 3 user types:  The model maker, a specialist who ensures that the model is correctly implemented and prepared to live up to expectations.  The operator, a non‐specialised technician who acts on the AQUASAFE management platform, which controls specific information based on alerts and notifications about the network’s performance. This technician is not expected to know the model or any other type of information source that feeds the AQUASAFE system. He/she is allowed the creation of analysis scenarios and to alter simple 8 | P a g e www.hidromod.com boundary conditions (for example, on/off of pumps, valves and chlorine stations, initial concentrations in contamination events); in order for this to happen, models have been developed to run in automated mode (pre‐programmed or on‐demand), with acquired data from telemanagement systems, automatic counters provided in databases or remotely, via web services.  The configurator, a specialist on AQUASAFE platform who configures links between multiple information systems and the platform, assuring for instance that when an operator requests a model simulation, AQUASAFE platform grants the necessary information to generate, in an automatic way, the initial and the boundary conditions of the model, as well as the management of the obtained results. Along with the operator, the configurator determines all kinds of alerts and reports which have to be presented. An operator with specific training should be able to develop a configurator role as well. The configurator may use modules that allow the creation of real time data screens (dashboard type) to synthesize the information created by the module or obtained from the intelligent network sensors. This way, operators only have to interact with information that has already been treated. 9 | P a g e www.hidromod.com SYSTEMAPPLICATIONS
AQUASAFE possesses multiple applications (in all types of systems that need to manage data to produce information), currently being used to support management and operation of drainage and water distribution networks, to support a critical conditions alert system regarding water adduction to Sines thermoelectric station and to integrate meteo‐oceanographic data and forecast models to support port operations. Furthermore, the consortium responsible for the development of AQUASAFE platform already possessed a significant experience in this area, which can be proved by the system developed to CLABSA (Barcelona Waters) to integrate results from the drainage network (based on MOUSE model), from the telemetry network (real time measurement of network flows), precipitation data and shore models (currents, waves and effluent dispersion) to produce beach water quality forecasts. General COWAMA system scheme implemented in Barcelona The system works in real time, producing forecasts every 20 minutes, with the ability to issue automatic alerts regarding risk situations, according to operation defined rules. This system has been running continuously for two years in Barcelona, having been implemented in other places like Biarritz, revealing great robustness. 10 | P a g e www.hidromod.com Although this application must not be mistaken for AQUASAFE, because it has been developed to meet specific CLABSA requisites and specifications, the know‐how obtained from its development and the increment of the perception of the problems associated with these types of systems, have helped to sediment the requisites which had been the basis of the AQUASAFE development. Presently, apart from the mentioned Sines alert system, the following applications have been implemented: SIMTEJO (a company that manages urban effluents from the Lisbon area): integration of data from telemetry systems, meteorology and meteorological models (based on MMS), networks (based on SWWM), hydrodynamics and dispersion for Tagus river estuary (based on MOHID). The system has a set of defined alerts for the identification of sectors which may become overpressured, allowing the simulation of system functioning alternatives, the evaluation of potential operation implications such as the closure or opening of a valve, shutting a pump on or off, etc., as well as evaluating discharge impacts on the estuary. Example of a dashboard of the system implemented at SIMTEJO. Comparison of measured and calculated flows, visualisation of discharge dispersion in Tagus river estuary, number of discharges occurred in different emission locations. Systems for the simulation and emission of flood alerts are being implemented. Every 30 minutes, the network model provides new flow forecasts and levels based on precipitation data, both modelled and measured. The system has been implemented 11 | P a g e www.hidromod.com over the infrastructure already available at SIMTEJO, including databases, telemetry and modelling systems at work. SABESP (water and drainage company of São Paulo, Brazil): Implementation of AQUASAFE on Itaquera subsystem (around 500 Km of pipelines). Integration of telemetry data (reservoir levels, flow, pressures) with results from the network model (based on Bentley Water Gems). The system is in demonstration phase and has been referred because of the performance evaluation of pumping stations, energy optimization and an alert system associated with the optimization of reservoir levels, based on the identification of utilisation patterns from historical data. AQUASAFE integration scheme in a pumping optimisation process Comparison between theoretical pump functioning curves, observed regimes and monitoring of energy consumption by price category 12 | P a g e www.hidromod.com Example of an optimisation exercise of energy consumption ÁGUAS DO NOROESTE (NORTHWEST WATERS): Implementation of AQUASAFE in supporting water security plans. Integration of telemetry data with results from the network model (based on Bentley Water Gems). In this case, the system potentiates the telemetry data and the forecast abilities of the model, to support water security plans. Utilisation of AQUASAFE in this context will allow the use of existing information sources (monitoring data and models), their integration in an efficient way and the use of model results to implement alert systems and potentiate system diagnostics and the elaboration of risk situations management scenarios. 13 | P a g e www.hidromod.com ÁGUAS DO OESTE (WEST WATERS): AQUASAFE platform provides solutions to support the data management acquired in the framework of monitoring programs speeding up the integration of different data sources (scada systems, monitoring data and operation parameters). The report component is of the utmost importance, because it ensures institutional and legal obligations, as well as online communication of the system’s relevant information to the general public. Unlike other computer applications already in use in some utilities, this tool performs an effective data analysis, crosschecking several monitoring and analysis programs, data variability analysis along pipes, data verification according to updated applicable laws, interface with ERSAR (Water and Residues Regulating Authority) and the automatic production of periodic reports. This specific module was created bearing in mind the specific problems of water distribution companies operating in Portugal using as pilot case the experience of Águas do Oeste. In any case, the concept is sufficiently broad as to work in any system which deals with information management. Among others, these system characteristics stand out:  Installation and upgrades via web (1 click install)  Possibility databases to use different  Users permission management  Creation and management of field sheets and sampling routes  Integration with a spatial network representation (easy search).  Value search along the network (for example, chlorine on a specific day) 14 | P a g e www.hidromod.com  Chart creation, customised with several filters (sampling programme, delivery point, origins, dates, etc.)  Automatic creation of reports in Word and Excel formats or OpenOffice, from templates created by the user (after configuration, reports are produced with 2 clicks)  Data import from xls, xlm or pdf files,  Interface with ERSAR base (campaign requisites import and reports export in compatible formats) LEIXÕES AND VIANA DO CASTELO SEA PORTS: Use of AQUASAFE as a meteorology and oceanography data integration tool (levels, currents) and results from meteorology models forecast (MM5), sea agitation (WWIII e SWAN) and hydrodynamics (MOHID) to support port operations (namely navigation between port entrance and pier) and disclosure of relevant information to stakeholders.
Example of workspace of an AQUASAFE client, regarding sea agitation 15 | P a g e www.hidromod.com AQUASAFE was partially funded by: Certificação de
Qualidade ISO
9001:2008:
16 | P a g e www.hidromod.com