Digitalising the European water and hydropower sectors

Digital technologies delivered about EUR 300 billion in capital and operating expenditure savings in the global water industry in 2016–2020, targeting water segments such as the treatment of wastewater, distribution, customer management and metering of drinking water. The most widely used digital tools include real-time monitoring, modelling approaches to support decision making and optimization measures, for example in energy consumption and data-based decisions.The three main water sectors, which are significantly affected by digital tools, that are discussed in this article are Water Distribution Networks (WDNs), Wastewater Systems (WWSs) and Hydropower. Benefits of digitalisation were quantified in EUR 5.0, 0.14 and 1.7 billion per year, respectively, excluding environmental and social benefits, which may play a non-negligible role.

QUARANTA Emanuele; 

2025-08-01

VGBE

JRC135892

978-3-96284-324-3 (online),   

https://events.vgbe.energy/api/blobs/downloadfile/25340/281676/03%20vgbe%20Hydro%20-%20Hydropower%20Industry%20Guide%202022-23%20EXT%20-1.pdf?download=1&access_token=,    https://pulse.vgbe.energy/read/4ce2a117-c5a6-49d2-8d03-2ef83c267f2f/#1,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC135892,