„AquaCloud“ - IoT-Portal for Water 4.0

The Internet of Things (IoT) enables networking of intelligent machines and plants. In the industry (acronym: Industry 4.0) and in water management (Water 4.0) digitalisation continues to move forward stormily. The AquaCloud - being a new Web Service approach – makes it possible to capture relevant information from critical infrastructures (CRITIS), link them together and make them available in the network.

Merging of all data in the cloud

Functions for operational management

  • Acquisition and archiving of measured values, counters and operating data
  • Input of manual and control values
  • Preparation of reports and evaluations
  • Operating times and maintenance management

Applications

As „Software as a Service“ (SAAS) the AquaCloud is particularly suitable wherever distributed systems are to be monitored and analyzed by a central management.

  • Monitoring of decentralized systems by means of a central portal
  • Association solutions and composite systems
  • Multi-system hosting for machine and plant builders, system integrators and plant operators

Device connections and communication

A special feature of AquaCloud is the flexible connection of devices, machines and systems. The exchange of data between the on-site system and the cloud is possible via:

  • Direct readout of programmable logic controllers (PLC).
  • Data exchange with systems that already have a local AquaReports installation. The data is processed locally (data concentrator) and then synchronized with the higherlevel central system. The advantages of this edge computing are the availability of the data on-site even in the event of a link failure as well as the significant reduction in the volume of data to be transferred.
  • Integration of external information sources, eg. weather data, level measurements, etc.

Advantages

  • Intuitive operation in the web browser
  • Use of different devices (smartphone, tablet, PC)
  • Available anytime, anywhere
  • Use of standardized and secure transmission protocols (for example OPC UA, TLS/SSL encryption)
  • Flexible in use and individually scalable
  • Open and extensible architecture. An integration of further modules and services is possible – also for third-party providers (eg. analysis services for Big Data).
  • High data availability
  • Cost savings by minimizing the capital expenditure

Project partners

Computer Concept (CC) is a proven expert in developing and operating high availability solutions. The company has decades of experience protecting mission-critical applications.

GIP Grundwasser-Ingenieurbau-Planung GmbH Dresden has many years of experience in the planning, construction and operation of various hydraulic engineering and water management systems.

The AquaCloud is further developed in close cooperation with other project partners.