CENTAUR: Smart Utilisation of Wastewater storage capacity to prevent flooding

This paper will describe and present results for a local flood risk reduction system which utilises existing in-network storage capacity to attenuate flow peaks. The storage capacity is mobilised through active flow control automatically regulated by an Artificial Intelligence system using local level monitoring.

The effects of climate change, population growth and urbanisation are putting increasing pressure on sewer and drainage networks both in the UK and overseas. The capacity of networks to cope with runoff at the required rate often falls short of requirements leading to localised floods and/or increased CSO spills to receiving waters. Smart Water/ Wastewater Network technologies have the potential to deliver improved service to customers and cost-effective performance improvements for the water industry.

CENTAUR aims to provide an innovative, cost effective, local autonomous data driven in-sewer flow control system whose operation will attenuate peaks and reduce the risk of surface water flooding. The system enables the capacity of existing infrastructure to be utilised more efficiently as a very economical alternative to capital-intensive solutions, for example building extra storage capacity. The system is also quick to implement with virtually no enabling works prior to installation.

CENTAUR comprises level monitors which relay data to an intelligent controller, which instructs a flow control device regulated by a novel and robust artificial intelligence routine based on Fuzzy Logic. The level monitors and intelligent controller are located locally and utilise real time data to provide effective real time control (RTC).

The CENTAUR Fuzzy Logic control algorithm was developed in Matlab. The Matlab RTC algorithm was linked to a SWMM hydro-dynamic model of a test network to prove its efficiency. Further rigorous testing was carried out by the University of Sheffield on the full-scale test facility designed to replicate field conditions. The CENTAUR system has been further developed and it is now implemented and fully functional in trial site in Coimbra, Portugal. Results of successful testing in the laboratory and the Coimbra field trial will be presented.