A TRADITIONAL CZECH COMPANY IN THE WATER MANAGEMENT SECTOR HAS ACQUIRED A UNIQUE TOOL THAT WILL BRING SAVINGS IN THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF DAMS AND ENSURE GREATER SAFETY
CREA HYDRO&ENERGY connected three Czech companies through a research project. These companies created a digital twin of a water structure, which was provided to the river basin authority for pilot use.
The CREA HYDRO&ENERGY cluster is a long-standing member of the National Cluster Association. With 26 members and 37 successful projects completed, it is one of the most significant cluster organizations in the field of technologies for water management structures, water and waste management, and renewable energy sources. The cluster's members collaborate on research, development, and product innovation, as well as on promoting the sector, presenting initiatives, and implementing projects both in the Czech Republic and abroad.
Between 2021 and 2023, the CREA HYDRO&ENERGY cluster implemented a research project called Digital Twin of a Dam, involving the participation of VODNÍ DÍLA – TBD a.s., an organization with a long history in water management, Designtec, s.r.o., a new member specializing in numerical simulations and software application development, and the state enterprise Povodí Moravy.
Using the Bystřička water structure as an example, a digital twin was created and provided to the river basin authority for pilot testing. During the project, the quality of the digital twin was significantly improved through the application of machine learning. The digital twin is now being jointly promoted at international conferences.
READ: Application of digital twin technology and machine learning in monitoring of engineering structures
Thanks to the CREA HYDRO&ENERGY cluster, a multidisciplinary collaboration was established, enabling a technology company to enter the field of water management. A traditional organization gained a unique tool that enhanced its professional services, and a state enterprise received a model that increases safety, operational comfort, and repair planning while also facilitating the gradual training of personnel. The applicability, speed, and versatility of the model are further advanced by the use of machine learning.
VODNÍ DÍLA – TBD: On a specific dam equipped with a digital twin, the company can provide improved maintenance planning and sensor monitoring to ensure proper functionality and instant access to safety information about the structure. For Povodí Moravy, this results in maintenance and operational cost savings while ensuring higher safety standards.
The consortium of VODNÍ DÍLA – TBD, Designtec, and CREA: The digital twin is now being prepared for the Dalešice Dam (EDA). Currently, in the research and development phase, this project is funded by the OP TAK Application program.