Case HOFOR
Case: HOFOR – technology, expertise and a long-term collaboration
Danish Water Innovation ApS and HOFOR have a close ongoing collaboration. DWI assists HOFOR with, among other things, the delivery and implementation of the latest technologies in the form of, among other things, ZONESCAN AI NB-loT data loggers from Gutermann. DWI also delivers a number of other instruments and technologies, as well as training in the use of these and also has an ongoing dialogue with HOFOR about future initiatives to reduce NRW.
About HOFOR
HOFOR is Denmark's largest multi-utility company and is responsible for the country's largest and perhaps most complex water supply. HOFOR annually extracts approximately 54 million m³ of water from 48 source locations and supplies more than 1 million people in the capital area with drinking water.
With 13 waterworks and an extensive pipeline network, HOFOR has built a strong internal organization over many years with its own specialists in operations, monitoring and leak detection.
The challenge
HOFOR differs from many other utilities in that it already has significant internal competencies within leak detection. The goal has therefore never been to outsource the task, but to continuously ensure that the organization has access to the best available technology and the latest professional knowledge.
The collaboration goes back many years. Over the years, the former Leif Koch A/S and later Danish Water Innovation have supplied a significant part of the special equipment that HOFOR uses for leak detection, while also contributing with training, education and ongoing technical sparring.
Previous generations of acoustic loggers and pressure gauges were also part of the collaboration, but the technology had limitations at the time, which meant that the results did not fully meet expectations. The development of a new generation of NB-IoT-based data loggers and measurement technology has now made it possible to take the next step.
The solution
Today, DWI supplies, among other things, Gutermann ZONESCAN AI NB-IoT data loggers, pressure gauges, hydrophones and Gutermann Cloud to HOFOR.
The current installation includes 130 Gutermann ZS AI acoustic data loggers, after HOFOR recently expanded the solution with an additional 50 loggers. The loggers are installed in various areas of the distribution network, where they allow HOFOR's own leakage specialists to continuously monitor the noise picture and quickly identify areas that require further investigation.
The technology provides a high degree of precision in the initial identification of potential leaks. At the same time, cloud-based monitoring makes it possible to follow developments over time and prioritize efforts where the need is greatest.
For HOFOR, however, the collaboration is about more than technology. HOFOR carries out the practical leak detection itself, while DWI supports the organization with new technology, specialist knowledge, training and ongoing professional sparring. The goal is not to take over the work – but to make an already strong organization even stronger.
A collaboration about more than equipment
The relationship between HOFOR and DWI has been built through many years of collaboration on instruments, methods and competence development.
When new technology is introduced, the collaboration is therefore not just about delivering equipment. It is also about ensuring that the technology is integrated into HOFOR's existing working methods, that data is interpreted correctly, and that the organization gets the greatest possible value from the investment.
The ongoing dialogue goes both ways. HOFOR contributes with experience from one of Europe's most complex water supplies, while DWI contributes with experience from a wide range of Danish and international supplies as well as close collaboration with leading technology suppliers. The mutual exchange of knowledge has become a central part of the collaboration.
Results and value
The latest expansion with Gutermann ZONESCAN AI NB-IoT technology marks another step in a collaboration that has developed over many years.
For HOFOR, the collaboration has meant, among other things:
Access to the latest technology in acoustic leak monitoring
Ongoing technical and professional sparring
Training and competence development of our own specialists
Possibility of gradually expanding the permanent monitoring of the power grid
The combination of HOFOR's operational experience and DWI's broad technology and method knowledge
A close professional collaboration, where experiences from practical application contribute to the continued development of both technology and working methods
The installed loggers, pressure gauges and hydrophones are therefore not just an investment in new technology. They are part of HOFOR's long-term strategy for monitoring, leak detection and ongoing development of the organization's own competencies.
Two different collaboration models – same principle
There is no one right model for collaboration between a utility and a water loss specialist.
At some utilities, DWI handles the entire process – from permanent monitoring and analysis to pinpointing the individual leak. At HOFOR, the situation is different. Here, the competencies are already available internally, and DWI's role is therefore to support the organization through technology, training, professional sparring and access to the latest developments in acoustic leak detection.
What both models have in common is that technology never stands alone. The greatest value arises when it is combined with people, experience, and an organization that knows how to translate data into action.
Conclusion
The collaboration between HOFOR and Danish Water Innovation shows how a traditional supplier relationship can develop over time into a close professional and technological partnership.
HOFOR has built up strong internal expertise in leak detection. DWI's role is not to replace this expertise, but to contribute to its continued development through new technology, specialist knowledge, training and experience from a broad national and international professional community.
It is precisely the combination of the customer's own competencies and a close external specialist partner that creates the basis for long-term collaboration - and for the ongoing development of both technology, methods and results.
For further details on the case and references contact Per Sørensen, DWI ApS at +45 5433 2447 or call our main number at +45 3172 3131
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