Content
The digital transition of urban water networks towards more data-driven and intelligent systems represents a primary opportunity to tackle the challenges posed by increasing population, urbanisation, and changing climate conditions. As the data-driven transformation reaches into the economy and society, ever-increasing amounts of data are generated by machines or processes based on emerging technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), connected systems, and advanced modelling. While digital disruption has already transformed a number of other industries globally, the water sector has only recently embraced the digital transformation. This is the key to developing suitable adaption strategies that, relying on better information than in the past, support management and decision-making actions to plan adaptation strategies that enhance the resilience of urban water systems under uncertain future climate and social scenarios.
In this course, the phenomenon of digitalization of urban water system will be analysed, with particular focus on Data Science and Artificial Intelligence approaches. The course will be structured around the main topic of modelling and management of water distribution networks and identification of anomalies (e.g., leakages) in their normal operation. In addition, other sub-topics will be touched during the course, enabling the students to get an overview of the different elements of modern urban water systems, acquire knowledge about best technologies, get insights on the interactions of water and energy systems in urban areas, and understand the role of human behaviour and cyber-physical security in such systems.
The following 5 topics will be covered:
MAIN TOPICS
1. Introduction to Data Science and Artificial Intelligence in Urban Water Systems
2. Modelling and control of Urban Water Systems
3. Leakage detection in Water Distribution Networks
OTHER TOPICS
4. Cybersecurity and other anomalies in urban water networks
5. Smart metering and behavioural modelling
6. Water-energy nexus and water and urban development.
During the project activity, the students will be actively fostered to develop own solutions for a sample problem (e.g., on leakage detection), where they will be guided to implement data-driven solutions on open available datasets.
Assessment includes a final presentation combined with a short oral exam, and a short project report. The lecture will be given in English and will include lectures by international guest professors.
