KI satellites to improve the detection rates of water leaks

University researchers in Wolverhampton have received 1.3 million GBP for the use of AI-controlled satellite technology in order to solve the costly and time-consuming process of detecting water leaks.

In addition to the South Staffs Water, the team will build and operate a fleet of Micro satellites (Low Earth Orbit), which can be found “with unprecedented efficiency and precision”.

Using AI techniques with high-resolution satellite images, the researchers said that they wanted to deliver faster, more precise and cheaper monitoring of the leak.

The recognition costs are expected to be at least 10 times lower than the current satellite-based methods, according to the university.

Water loss is a persistent problem for the British industry, with an estimated 19% of the offer before reaching consumers, according to Water UK UK 3.2 billion GBP in the entire supply sector.

According to the university, traditional recognition methods such as acoustic monitoring and tracer gas recognition are labor-intensive and inefficient, usually less than one leak per day per crew and costs between 250 and 2,000 GBP per inspection.

Other satellite-based technologies have improved the detection rates, but high operating costs and image-update rates between seven and 14 days still limit their effectiveness.

Using the 1.3-MIO.-GBP financing from Water Regulation's innovation fund from Water Regulation Service Ofwat, the team can create high-frequency imaging and have new data every six hours to determine leaks.

The detection of AI-powered detection then reduces the costs and enables fast use beyond the UK, the university said.

Professor Mohammad Patwary, director of the digital innovation and solution center for digital innovations and solutions from the University (CD) and the project manager, said: “This OFWAT OPPORTUNITY marks a great jump in innovation for Great Britain and improves the efficiency and infrastructure of the water industry and the longevity of the infrastructure, and creates at the same time A platform for critical sectors such as energy, transport and telecommunications and positioning in UK.

The team will use six satellites as part of the project called Space Eye and Lise with several other water companies in Great Britain.

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