This week, IBI Group, a global design and technology firm with headquarters in Toronto, Ontario, launched BlueIQ, a real-time software solution for water utilities.
Using predictive analytics to determine the most cost effective and energy efficient way for urban water utilities to operate their water distribution systems, BlueIQ has demonstrated energy conservation and reduced operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions, while maintaining an appropriate level of service.
“This is a completely new technology package that provided a customized solution for Toronto. Combining all the real-time inputs, with an accurate calibrated hydraulic model, and generating a proven and effective advanced pump schedule has significantly reduced Toronto Water’s operating costs,” said Gary Thompson, area supervisor Process, Operations & Maintenance, at Toronto Water.
BlueIQ addresses the challenge of cost-effective water delivery through the municipal network by optimizing pump and valve operations resulting in reduced energy consumption while providing the required level of service. This outcome is achieved through the application of predictive analytics that assist in the decision-making process with the provision of a real-time pump and valve operational plan.
Implemented at Toronto Water in 2015, IBI Group’s water optimization solution is currently saving the utility more than 10 per cent in energy costs annually.
“BlueIQ by IBI Group helps water utilities answer the question of how to most efficiently operate their available assets within the required level of service. It integrates with SCADA to assist in identifying the optimal pump and valve schedule in real time to reduce overall operational costs,” said Sanjay Patel, IBI Product Lead, Water Optimization Solutions. “Using various real-time input data feeds, BlueIQ is a system-wide, non-linear formulated solution with hybrid automation, optimizing quickly enough to be used immediately, while still giving the overseeing operator decision-making control.”
“BlueIQ is an exciting product which has been in development by our intelligence team since 2012. The newest addition to our portfolio of Smart Cities software solutions, the BlueIQ product was originally developed for Toronto Water and has had a significant impact on their overall operations,” said Scott Stewart, IBI Group CEO.
BlueIQ by IBI Group is part of the firm’s new Strategic Plan, A Smarter Urban Future, released in May 2018, which maps out the firm’s transformation to a technology-driven design firm. This plan will help the firm unlock growth in its core business through the application of productivity tools and processes developed by the firm’s own technology group. IBI Group has released a suite of new Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) products throughout 2018, creating new revenue streams throughout the lifecycle of the assets it designs.