Finnish multi-utility Alva has implemented Ovarro’s Pioneer asset investment planning software across its water and sewer networks. The implementation comes after a six-month trial for Alva’s water distribution network generated Capex cost savings of 10%.
Alva serves the city of Jyväskylä and its surrounding area in central Finland, where it produces, sells and distributes electricity, heat and water to the local population and industry.
Pioneer is a web-based decision support platform that can optimise asset management planning and operational strategies, supporting utilities in reducing costs and improving services for customers. Utilities can decide how and when to survey, refurbish or replace assets at the minimum overall cost, across a single asset group or an entire company network. The same software can be used to plan day-to-day operational activities effectively.
As part of the new agreement with Ovarro, the scope of assets covered by Pioneer will be extended to cover the whole of Alva’s water mains network, plus their foul and surface water sewers. As a result, the platform will be able to forecast events such as water main bursts, interruptions to supply and leakage, as well as sewer blockages, collapses, pollution events and internal flooding. These forecasts can then be used by Pioneer to target interventions at the most cost-beneficial locations.
Tero Ponkkala, project manager and development engineer for Alva, said: “The aim of the Pioneer trial was to assess whether our data is adequate and whether our capability and maturity as an organisation is sufficient for introducing this new approach. We also had an important requirement for the tool to improve Alva’s long-term, risk-based investment planning.
“The Ovarro team established a convincing proof-of-concept on our water distribution networks, with clear cost-saving benefits. This is why we have moved forward to implement the technology not only on our water network but also across our sewer networks.”
Pioneer has been in use in the UK for over a decade, with five water companies making use of the platform. The software can be used for all utility asset types including potable water and heat distribution mains, sewers and electrical cabling, as well as point assets such as pumping stations, treatment works and transformers.
