Open Flows and Open Utilities save 16 Months when Delivering One of the Largest
Digital Twins in Eastern Europe
Modernizing One of the World’s Oldest Water Supply Systems
Originally constructed in 1878, the 144- year-old Zagreb water supply system is one of the oldest functioning water networks in the world. At that time, the capacity of the constructed system was 53.2 liters per second via a 4-kilometerlong pipeline that provides water to 11,150 of the 30,000 inhabitants in Zagreb, the capital and largest city of Croatia. ViO Zagreb has been responsible for the city’s public water supply since its inception, including construction and rehabilitation of the network infrastructure. The organization ensures reliable water distribution to the growing number of residents. To cover water services for now over 900,000 people across 800 square kilometres, the water supply network was expanded, spanning 3,500 kilometres with seven water sources, more than 400 components, and a daily water intake of 310,000 cubic meters. Over the last two decades, water loss has grown significantly and sharply worsened after the occurrence of earthquakes in 2020. To resolve these losses and modernize the network, ViO Zagreb retained Hidroing to develop a detailed master plan and water loss program, digitalizing the system for optimal water distribution over the next 30 years of operation. The project was developed to be used as a statistical and reporting tool, where digital] protocols were developed for direct data analysis in activities of water Loss reporting said Igor Dundovic, project manager at Hidroing.
Striving to Optimize Network Operations
The EUR 1 million project required Hidroing to develop a detailed hydraulic model based on an updated GIS model that enabled water loss analysis and detailed diagnosis of the supply system, including modelling of district meter area (DMA) zoning and numerous measurement points. Our final goal was to establish a hydraulic model with all GIS data to be used for conceptioneering by ViO Zagreb development sector, and as a digital twin for ViO Zagreb’s operational sector said Dundovic. However, Hidroing faced significant data collection challenges and difficulties measuring flow, pressure, and chlorine levels. To meet the owner’s digital expectations, streamlining access to reliable network data and optimizing network operations, they realized that they needed an integrated technology solution to facilitate smart water management.
Bentley Applications Support Digital Twin Solution
After considering their options, Hidroing selected Bentley’s Open Flows and Open Utilities applications for GIS development, 3D modelling, hydraulicmodelling, and on-site operations andfacility management. As a big project with a big database, our companydecided to use Bentley products for alltasks, said Dundovic. They modelled3,000 measurement points, 144 DMAzones with individual scenarios andwater balance management, and 3,500kilometres of pipeline, creating andcalibrating a hydraulic model. UsingBentley applications, they linked waterloss calculation input data, includingpipe length, the number of serviceconnections, flow, real water loss, andaverage pressure. They stored andreported this statistical network datathrough the GIS platform and transferredit directly to the hydraulic model,providing a single source of truth toextract data based on real-life changes in the system and resolve water loss. Bentley’s hydraulic modelling solution enabled them to combine all network analyses into a digital twin, simulating system operations and more than 150 scenarios, including scenarios for every DMA zone. The established model is one of the largest digital twin models in Eastern Europe, facilitating smart water solutions.
A Digital Twin Industrializes Network Management
Using Bentley’s advanced digital platforms, Hidroing established a digital twin to improve processes and development of the Zagreb water supply system. The integrated modelling and analysis solution enabled real-time processing of input data, eliminating time – consuming manual data manipulation and validation, accelerating model calibration and delivery by 16 months. Using Open Flows and Open Utilities, the team delivered a final model and digital twin, pinpointing 50 actions to reduce water loss. Final delivery time was reduced from an estimated 36 months to 20months. This time reduction enabled faster digital twin implementation and an earlier start to the water loss reduction program, said Dundovic. The digital twin solution brings direct savings in water loss and minimizes environmental impact by reducing water intake and electricity usage. Given the recent earthquakes and frequent ruptures of the Zagreb waterpipes over the last few years, ViO Zagreb recognized the importance of digitalizing their water network and implementing smart water management processes. To meet the owner’s technology expectations, Hidroing delivered a digital twin that can be used for ViO Zagreb to make more informed decisions regarding their supply system’s development, operations, and future planning, industrializing network management of the capital city’s water infrastructure. After devastating earthquakes during March 2020 in the city of Zagreb, these kinds of projects are even more significant in a way that during development of master plans, Water safety and distribution alternatives are now mandatory, said Dundovic
