Process automation provides the tools for the sustainable management of water as a resource
Access to clean water and sanitation is a fundamental human right and a sustainable development goal of the United Nations. However, water scarcity is a critical global challenge. By 2050, global demand for water by households, industry and agriculture is expected to increase by 30%, exceeding availability. Therefore, all water use, especially by industry, must be efficient and sustainable.
Water security requires sound water management. Water management is really the core element of environmental technology, as it is used in industry for manufacturing, processing, washing, diluting, cooling/heating or transporting products, as well as for generating power. Optimising the use of water in industry and treating wastewater before it is returned to nature are important components of water management.
It is therefore crucial to have a skilled workforce that can ensure water and wastewater plants as well as the infrastructure needed to collect, treat and distribute water are properly planned, used, maintained and operated. These plants are highly dependent on process automation, especially instrumentation and process control equipment and systems. These are an important part of our industrial experience and a prominent feature in our training and education offer.
Water 4.0 is changing the training requirements.
IT and new technologies are modernising the water industry. Water systems and plants rely on digitalisation and automation to improve overall efficiency, reliability and safety, and to partially compensate for the shortage of skilled workers. The integration of Industry 4.0 methods and technologies is revolutionising water management and leading to Water 4.0.
Cyber-physical systems, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), big data, IT systems, decentralisation and the interoperability of systems are all features of Water 4.0. For example, physical assets are increasingly being managed via cloud-based measurement data. This digitalisation of water management has a direct impact on the training requirements for water engineers and process control specialists. Water 4.0 enables the intelligent networking of all water stakeholders – users and providers – in a sustainable water infrastructure.
As the water industry develops into a high-tech sector, its employees must also follow suit. The water and wastewater workforce requires a broader range of skills in addition to a comprehensive, structural understanding of water systems. Workers need digital literacy and troubleshooting skills, as well as a wide range of soft skills such as communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking, all of which promote competent decision-making and problem-solving in interdisciplinary teams
Training in the real world
To ensure students can apply what they have learned, they need to be familiarised with the technologies they will be working with in the workplace. However, for practical, safety and efficiency reasons, it is impossible to experiment and practise with real-life systems that are often huge and complex. But without practical exercises, learning remains purely theoretical and hardly prepares students for real-life scenarios. Our training systems and simulations solve this problem.
Teachers in schools and industry can rely on our training solutions to create practical training environments that are aligned with industry requirements. Our dual expertise in education and industry gives us a valuable insight into the training requirements of current as well as future employees.
Technical training in key areas for optimal water use
The operation of water and wastewater distribution systems and water and wastewater collection systems requires the planning, operation, installation and troubleshooting of simple to complex mechanical, electrical and instrumentation devices, equipment, infrastructure and facilities. The staff responsible for these tasks include water technicians and environmental technicians, operators, instrument technicians and process technicians as well as engineers.
We can help train the future workforce and upskill the existing workforce, especially in key technical areas:
Basic requirements for technical professions
Basic principles of mechanics and electromagnetism. Simple machines. Mechanics. Electrical circuits. Pneumatics. Industrial safety. And many more.
Water collection, treatment and distribution
Water cycle (extraction, transport, treatment, purification, membrane and sand filtration, supply, etc.). Operation and energy optimisation. And much more.
System maintenance
Installation, operation, maintenance, replacement and troubleshooting of components (valves, transducers, etc.). Pipelines and pipe fittings. Industrial motors and pumps. Mechanical actuators. Lifting technology. And much more.
Sensors, instrumentation and process control
Instrumentation and control equipment. Monitoring strategies. Energy transfer. PLC programming. Distributed control systems. Intelligent sensors. Monitoring process variables such as pressure, flow, temperature, pH value, water quality, etc.
Network and communication
Technologies for information transmission and storage. Wireless communication. Industrial communication protocols. IIoT. Networking. Cyber security. Energy efficiency. CP systems. And much more.