IN FOCUS

As the world faces an escalating water crisis, the industry can no longer afford fragmented infrastructure, Duncan Leathley, area sales director for water utility at Grundfos UK&I, explores why an integrated approach that marries high-efficiency hardware with AI-driven intelligence, is the blueprint for building a resilient global water future.

The boom in artificial intelligence and cloud services is driving the construction of new data centers worldwide. At the same time, the need for high-performance cooling systems – and thus for clean water – is increasing. Efficient water filtration is becoming a crucial factor for operational reliability, energy efficiency, and sustainability.

ENGIE Hidroelétricas do Douro, on behalf of Movhera Hidroelétricas do Norte S.A., has awarded an ANDRITZ-led consortium a contract to rehabilitate and modernize three generating units at the Picote I hydropower plant in Portugal.

Underestimating the level of variation in thread friction and surface conditions can undermine the effectiveness of the applied torque and resulting preload and, in extreme cases, lead to joint failure. The solution is to always choose fasteners manufactured from premium stainless steel under high-quality production processes that have less surface roughness and variation in frictional behavior.

Électricité de France (EDF) has awarded international technology group ANDRITZ a contract to supply a new pump turbine and associated equipment for the Vouglans/Saut-Mortier pumped storage project in the French Jura region. The project will increase energy storage capacity, enhance grid stability, and support the integration of renewable energy sources.

Sustainable drainage specialist Sudsplanter Ltd has supported a rainwater management project led by Scottish Water and Dundee City Council, through the Water Resilient Dundee partnership. The partnership aims to manage Dundee’s rainwater more naturally, reduce local flood and pollution risk, build climate resilience and create greener spaces, while engaging with communities.

Enlaza, the transmission company of Grupo Energía Bogotá, has awarded international technology group ANDRITZ an order to supply five synchronous condensers to Colombia. The equipment – the first of its kind in Colombia – will strengthen grid stability and support the integration of renewable energy sources in the Colombian Caribbean region.

Société en Commandite Hydroélectrique Manicouagan (SCHM) has awarded ANDRITZ a contract to modernize turbine-generator units 6 and 7 at the McCormick hydropower plant in Baie-Comeau, Québec, Canada.

Hafslund, one of Norway’s largest power producers, has selected ANDRITZ to rehabilitate and upgrade the Strandfossen hydropower plant on the Glomma River. The upgrade will extend the plant’s service life and increase its total installed capacity by more than 25%, strengthening the supply of flexible and reliable renewable power and supporting grid stability in Norway.

Yorkshire Water is significantly expanding its predictive condition monitoring programme as part of its AMP8 investment. Industrial artificial intelligence (AI) specialist Samotics is set to monitor a further 1,200 wastewater sewage pumping station assets and 300 clean water smart pumping assets over the next 18 months.