Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWMAs part of the collaborative project »TriWaOpt«, we are working together with Bodensee-Wasserversorgung (long-distance water supplier) and the software company FlowChief GmbH to develop a software platform for the intelligent control of pumping and storage systems in drinking water supply. While Bodensee-Wasserversorgung contributes its extensive practical experience as one of Germany’s largest water utilities, and FlowChief GmbH – as a provider of software solutions for process control systems and industrial automation – integrates the new functions into existing operating environments, we develop reliable forecasts and optimize operational control and elevated tank management.
Bodensee-Wasserversorgung: Solaranlage Sipplinger Berg
Through this project, we combine water and energy management to jointly optimize supply security, cost-effectiveness, and the use of renewable energy. Pictured: The Sipplinger Berg solar power plant operated by our partner, Bodensee-Wasserversorgung.
© Bodensee-Wasserversorgung
AI-Driven Optimization of Drinking Water Supply and Energy Use
Project »TriWaOpt«: Energy-Efficient Operation of Large Drinking Water Networks Through Multi-Criteria Scheduling Optimization and Dynamic Water Pricing
The drinking water supply requires large amounts of energy, particularly for operating pumps and storage facilities. At the same time, electricity prices and the availability of renewable energy are becoming increasingly volatile. In the project »TriWaOpt«, we therefore examine water and energy systems together. In this way, we lay the groundwork for efficiently utilizing available energy sources while ensuring a reliable water supply.
Digital Forecasts for Proactive Operations Management
In this project, we continuously collect operational data from the water networks. In addition, we integrate weather forecasts, current electricity prices, and projections for electricity generation from photovoltaic and hydroelectric power plants. Based on this data, we use artificial intelligence and machine learning methods to reliably predict water demand and energy availability. This allows us to base operational decisions not solely on current conditions, but to respond to future developments early on. As a result, control becomes more proactive, flexible, and efficient.
Balancing Economic Efficiency, Security of Supply, and Sustainability
Based on these forecasts, we develop optimization methods that continuously calculate optimal operating plans for pumps, storage facilities, and turbines. In doing so, we take several objectives into account simultaneously: low energy costs, high security of supply, resilience to uncertainties, and the most extensive use of renewable energy possible.
In addition, we are investigating new, more flexible water pricing models. These can encourage consumers to better align their water demand with periods of low energy prices – for example, by utilizing storage capacity during low-price periods or reducing consumption when the grid is under high load.
Practical Implementation and Transferable Solutions
Together with our partners, we integrate the optimization modules we’ve developed directly into existing control systems and validate them under real-world operating conditions.
The software components are modular in design and can be adapted for use by other water utilities. At the same time, we demonstrate how drinking water networks can contribute more actively to the energy transition in the future – for example, as flexible storage and buffering systems for electricity generated from renewable sources. The concepts developed in the project also offer potential for other infrastructures, such as district heating networks or industrial supply systems.
»TriWaOpt« Project: System Overview of the Process Chain
Our Project Partners
- Bodensee-Wasserversorgung: Industry Partners and Field Testing in Real-World Network Operations
- FlowChief GmbH: Integration of the solutions into control and automation systems, as well as software implementation of the platform
- FairNetz GmbH (associated partner) serves as both the water and energy provider for the city of Reutlingen.
Project Duration and Funding
The collaborative project »TriWaOpt« runs from July 2026 to June 2029 as part of the »Water-Energy Nexus (WENex)« funding initiative by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) (Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt). Together, the project partners are developing approaches to intelligently integrate water and energy systems and make drinking water supply more sustainable and energy-efficient.
Wenex – Water-Energy-Nexus