Why opt for virtual commissioning?

What is Virtual Commissioning (VC)?

When a pumping station is physically commissioned, extensive testing takes place to ensure that everything is working properly. The first phase is “dry commissioning” such as: Are all the measurement instruments working well? Are the signals transmitting properly and are they showing the right values? Are the cables connected correctly? Next, the pumps are switched on for the first time, this is undertaken manually. If no problems occurs on manual operation, the pumps are then run on automatic control. At Royal HaskoningDHV we have developed the Virtual Commissioning to allow for the testing of the automatic control scenarios.

We then expand this digital model with sensors and other components that we can connect to the pumping station control (automated control). By doing so, we have created a digital copy of the transport system: the digital twin. We can now test what happens in the digital twin when the pumping station's automated control is operating.

What's next?

Virtual Commissioning will be used more frequently during project commissioning especially for smaller sewage pumping stations and booster stations. In particular, pumping stations with more complex controls benefit greatly from virtual commissioning. Virtual Commissioning prevents problems from occurring during the commissioning of pumping stations and reduces risks. It makes commissioning easier, faster, and safer. The pumping station's digital twin will also continue to run in conjunction with the physical pumping station after it has been commissioned, this is done by our Twinn Aqua Suite software. Using smart analyses, errors and anomalies in the pumping station and pressure line can be detected at an early stage. This considerably eases the workload of the management and maintenance department and also makes it possible to prevent problems in the operation of pumping stations through intervention at an early stage. This can also optimise the pumps’ performance, increasing their service life. If you would like to know more about virtual commissioning, please contact us.