Although severe precipitation events are rare, they can overload urban wastewater systems and thus become a challenge for environmental protection. Moreover, due to climate change, such events are expected to occur more frequently. The OPTIMA project is thus developing a prototype of an “Intelligent Pumping Station” to improve the management of sewage and stormwater drainage in Berlin and beyond.

Using intelligent data and model integration, e.g. of weather data, a predictive, energy-efficient load management of the sewer system is to be enabled. Through early detection, the storage potential available in the system can be leveraged. In this project, Fraunhofer FOKUS is developing a stochastic prediction model that integrates into the operational control of wastewater pumps, yielding probability values for the wastewater load.

The “Intelligent Pumping Station” thus ensures that the accumulation tank of a pumping station is emptied in a timely manner in anticipation of heavy rainfall, thus preventing potentially harmful overloads in the sewerage system. Preventive load management ensures that the system is continuously adapted to the constantly changing conditions.

The project is supported by the European Regional Development Fund.