AquaInSilico is pleased to announce the completion of a demonstrator project with Bondalti Water, supported by the Green Vouchers programme, funded under Portugal's Recovery and Resilience Plan.
The initiative highlighted the potential of UPWATER™, AquaInSilico's proprietary digital platform, at a large-scale industrial wastewater treatment plant in Navarre, Spain, operated by Bondalti Water and serving several food-processing industries.
For AquaInSilico, this project represented both a significant challenge and an important milestone. Started in 2024, it began with the processing and reconciliation of extensive data from a large industrial pilot, demonstrating not only the robustness of the technology but also its adaptability to complex and variable industrial conditions.
What was done
UPWATER™ was used to simulate multiple operational scenarios, providing tailored, data-driven strategies to optimise plant performance. As a demonstrator project, the focus was on showcasing core functionalities, identifying key performance indicators that ensure robust operation, maximising pollutant removal at lower cost and assessing adaptability to industrial conditions. Throughout the project, UPWATER™ enabled the detailed study of six operational strategies, leading to the identification of the most effective approaches to:
- Improve the control of critical parameters such as dissolved oxygen, solids concentration or recirculation in the activated sludge process;
- Reduce energy consumption, especially that associated with aeration of the aerobic reactors in the activated sludge system;
- Ensure sustainability, contributing to the development of resource-efficiency strategies within a Circular Economy production model.
UPWATER™ uses advanced algorithms to deliver predictive insights and enable preventive actions, helping managers and operators handle disturbances, reduce operating costs and explore the valorisation potential of wastewater.
Why it matters
This demonstrator project highlights the value of the collaboration between AquaInSilico and Bondalti Water. The partnership provided a valuable opportunity to demonstrate UPWATER™'s capabilities in a demanding industrial context, while also reinforcing the role of digital platforms in building a more efficient and sustainable wastewater sector.
“This collaboration demonstrates the power of UPWATER™ to transform industrial wastewater management. By enabling smarter and more efficient decision-making, we are helping partners such as Bondalti Water achieve significant economic and environmental impact.”
“The project illustrates the added value of advanced simulations, as well as the strong scientific and technical competence of AquaInSilico. It reinforces Bondalti Water's commitment to innovation through smart water solutions and digitalisation.”
About the Green Vouchers programme
This project was made possible by the Green Vouchers initiative of Portugal's Recovery and Resilience Plan, which supports startup pilot projects by funding the early demonstration of innovative technologies. The 18-month initiative strengthens AquaInSilico's ability to demonstrate the adaptability of green digital products across different client profiles and operating contexts.
About AIS
AIS is a Portuguese deep-tech company and spin-off from NOVA University Lisbon, co-founded with Frontier IP Group. AIS powers UPWATER™ and UPWASTE — AI-powered digital twin platforms for wastewater and organic waste treatment facilities, turning complex biological processes into predictable, efficient and profitable operations.