Intelligent technology must help prevent a repeat of the floods of 2011 and 2013  

In January 2023, Denmark experienced the wettest month ever recorded – attributed to climate change. In the future, there is a need to prepare for handling even larger amounts of rain and wastewater.

New research from a project at the National Centre for Digital Technology (DIREC) could help Denmark prepare for more extreme weather conditions. Researchers are working to improve the capabilities to understand and manage water in urban areas. The project is a collaboration between researchers from institutions such as Aalborg University, IT University of Copenhagen, HOFOR, and Aarhus Vand.

Currently, we do not fully exploit the potential of digital technologies when it comes to optimizing our water management. In the project, researchers will attempt to control the flow of rainwater in the wastewater system and reduce the risk of overflow and flooding. This is done by combining existing mathematical models of water movement with data-driven machine learning.

According to the researchers, it is possible to measure, control, and regulate water intelligently with a digital approach. Advanced machine learning can identify the best solution to guide rainwater and wastewater to the right places, especially during heavy rain and storm surges when water systems are pushed to their limits.

Machine learning gears the system for extreme weather

One of the project partners is HOFOR, the utility company for the Greater Copenhagen area. Project Manager Gitte Rosenkranz is involved in the project, which is still in its early stages.

– We want to avoid situations like in 2011 and 2013, where the sewage system was overloaded, and Copenhagen, in particular, was heavily affected by floods. During periods of intense and sudden rainfall, the system comes under extreme pressure, and it can be challenging to account for different scenarios. It requires advanced coordination, and that’s where machine learning and artificial intelligence come into play. Machine learning can help identify the best solution in the situation and, based on advanced calculations, ensure that rainwater and wastewater are directed to the right places, explains Gitte Rosenkranz.

An exciting project for all parties involved

– Ongoing research projects like this one can help place Denmark on the world map as a future leader in water technology, and the utility sector internationally is already gearing up systems for future more extreme weather situations, says Gitte Rosenkranz.

– The challenges we face are not going away, which is why the utility sector internationally is evolving.

The strength of the DIREC project is that it involves specialists from various fields – both IT experts and water management experts, according to Gitte Rosenkranz.

– It’s a huge strength to work across disciplines, and everyone simultaneously finds the project important, fun, and exciting.