In a statement, the Institute of Systems and Computers Engineering, Technology and Science (INESC TEC) ,explains that the ‘ePredator’ system aims, through the implementation of artificial intelligence techniques, to “maximize energy sustainability in the water sector”.

The use of this system, developed in collaboration with Águas do Tejo Atlântico, which is part of the Águas de Portugal group, will make it possible to reduce the consumption of electricity in wastewater treatment plants “between 15 to 20 percent”.

“In the Águas de Portugal Group, electricity consumption represents around 1.4 percent of total electricity consumption in Portugal”, says the Porto Institute, adding that, in this sector, energy consumption has a “high weight in the total operating costs of companies”.

“Wastewater elevation systems represent a large part of these expenses, making it necessary to better manage their operation and minimize the energy consumed”, explains INESC TEC.

Cited in the statement, Ricardo Bessa, researcher and assistant coordinator of the Energy Systems Centre at INESC TEC, said that the system, in addition to reducing energy consumption, could, among other issues, “control the time of the pump operation, anticipate periods of high inflow of wastewater and include different levels of pump wear”.

"It is still easy to implement and scalable to other systems", adds the researcher.

By "automatically" controlling the pumping systems, the artificial intelligence software will also allow to improve the operational safety of the plants, "with a reduction of the overflow signals up to 90 percent and by the new ability to avoid scenarios that lead to a high energy consumption”, explains INESC TEC.

Also in the statement, Rita Alves, responsible for research, development and innovation at Águas do Tejo Atlântico, says that “most wastewater pumping stations are operated through fixed levels, to regulate the water level in the pumping wells” and that this approach is “more economically expensive”.

According to the Porto institute, the ‘ePredator’, developed under the European InteGrid project, has already been tested in a real environment at the Alcântara water plant, and researchers have already submitted a European patent application for this system.