Theme 4
Asset Control, Optimisation and Decision Making
Developing novel RTC strategies that leverage advancements in sensors, data management, and visualization tools to optimize decision-making and achieve truly integrated water outcomes.
About the Project
Theme 4 focuses on developing advanced real-time control (RTC) strategies that optimise the performance of water infrastructure by leveraging modern sensing technologies, data streams and predictive analytics. These approaches aim to coordinate how different parts of the water system—such as stormwater networks, wetlands, tanks and treatment assets—respond to changing conditions in real time. By enhancing system synergy, improving customer-facing information and enabling data-driven decisions, RTC methods help utilities operate more efficiently and even delay the need for major infrastructure upgrades.
This theme also investigates how RTC can strengthen ecosystem health, flood resilience and long-term asset performance. Through better flow management, pollutant reduction and adaptive operational strategies, RTC can improve the functioning of WSUD assets and ensure secure delivery of fit-for-purpose water. The theme further develops rapid flood-control strategies, emergency response tools and evidence-based maintenance frameworks that integrate sensors, analytics and monitoring networks. Together, these innovations support smarter, safer and more sustainable management of water assets across diverse environments.
Project Objectives
Real-Time System Optimisation
Develop advanced RTC strategies—from model-predictive control to simple rule-based systems—to improve the efficiency and responsiveness of integrated water networks.
Enhanced System Synergy
Coordinate the operation of stormwater, drainage, storage and treatment assets to work together seamlessly, improving overall system performance and customer outcomes.
Ecosystem-Focused Operations
Apply RTC to WSUD assets to improve flow regulation, pollutant removal and delivery of fit-for-purpose water, supporting healthier and more resilient ecosystems.
Flood & Emergency Response Control
Create RTC-driven flood mitigation tools that use real-time data and predictive models to reduce flood risk, protect communities and improve emergency preparedness.
Evidence-Based Asset Management
Establish monitored networks that integrate sensors, analytics and long-term performance data to support smarter maintenance planning and asset lifecycle optimisation.
Optimized Decision Making
Use data-driven control strategies to defer costly infrastructure upgrades by maximising the performance of existing assets and improving operational decision-making.
Key Milestones
No milestones available
Meet Our Visionary Team
Prof Yang Liu
Hub Director
Prof Liu’s research primarily focuses on linking microbial ecology to engineering bioreactor development, optimization, and implementation. She has a specific interest in optimizing biological wastewa...