Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ISPNET (Intelligent System for Pressure Networks)

Teaser

Management and maintenance of pipe systems present a major problem: leaks. The existence of leaks is costly, both economic and environmental terms, especially when considering finite resources. The ISPNET project proposes a new smart pipe system for early detection of leaks...

Summary

Management and maintenance of pipe systems present a major problem: leaks. The existence of leaks is costly, both economic and environmental terms, especially when considering finite resources. The ISPNET project proposes a new smart pipe system for early detection of leaks and preventive maintenance of networks, including a last generation of transmission system specifically tested for water distribution, but with further application in other fluids’ transportation networks (oil & gas, industrial liquids…). The new system, which has been installed and subject to public trials, will optimize the properties of existing pipes systems and in turn, serve as reporter element of all incidents occurring in the pipe system and as a management tool of parameters commonly used.
Overall objectives for this First Phase have been:
• defining requirements to adapt the device to different monitoring possibilities and improve the communication system, as well as to automate the production process.
• measuring the potential of the solution in terms of efficiency, business opportunity and compliance with standards,
• analyzing the impact of the device on customers and on ABN commercial development,
• defining the market in concrete and realistic terms, in order to attract investors and reduce time to market.

Work performed

SME Instrument Phase 1 has helped to
(1) define the monitoring possibilities that will be brought to the market (ABN had 10 different possibilities, after the Feasibility Study only 2 have been chosen)
(2) evaluate technical improvements required in the communication system
(3) plan demonstration of the solutions in real operations, in agreement with potential clients.
(4) pre-design the scale-up of production.
(5) Obtain a thorough Market Study (water distribution networks) in Europe, MENA countries and Latam
(6) analyze the commercial impact of the device and prepare a business plan in concrete and realistic terms, in order to attract investors.

Final results

ABN has verified that the solution offers innovative advantages both in terms of the materials used for the pipe and due to the monitoring and traceability possibilities of the embedded sensor system. There is no other similar system in the market, and the cost per meter of the system is lower than “conventional” ones.
For every €1.00 spent in leak detection programs, up to €3.00 can be saved. The World Bank has estimated the total cost of Non-Revenue Water (NRW) to utilities worldwide at US$14 billion per year. Reducing by half the current levels of losses in developing countries, where relative losses are highest, could generate an estimated US$ 2.9 billion in cash and serve an additional 90 million people. ISPNET solution will contribute to this objective, as it is a more efficient system to detect leakages and manager water distribution, that can be implemented both in mature networks an emerging markets.

Website & more info

More info: http://www.abnpipesystems.com/esp/04proyectos.asp.