Emerson’s latest release of AspenTech v15 is set to shake up the water, sanitation, and drainage sector, bringing a wave of industrial AI capabilities that could redefine operational efficiency and sustainability efforts. The software’s expanded features, including generative AI (GenAI), promise to streamline workflows, enhance decision-making, and accelerate progress toward decarbonisation and resource efficiency goals.
Claudio Fayad, chief technology officer for Emerson’s Aspen Technology business, asserts that this release combines cutting-edge technology with practical tools to tackle real-world challenges. “By unlocking greater value from operations, AspenTech v15 drives long-term performance improvements,” he says. This is not just about technological advancement; it’s about empowering industries to innovate and achieve operational excellence and sustainability at scale.
The integration of GenAI and other AI capabilities is a game-changer. Over 85% of firms surveyed by Verdantix expect AI analytics and GenAI to significantly transform their plant operations. However, challenges remain, particularly in terms of limited in-house AI knowledge and maximising the value of deployed solutions. Malavika Tohani, research director for the Industrial Transformation practice at Verdantix, highlights that AspenTech’s v15 release democratises the value gained from its solutions faster through the incorporation of GenAI and other enhancements.
For the water and sanitation sector, the ability to break down silos and accelerate decision-making is crucial. AspenTech Subsurface Intelligence™ Beta offers a cloud-native environment with AI-enhanced workflows and an intuitive user experience across all disciplines. This could revolutionise how water resources are managed and utilised, ensuring more efficient and sustainable practices.
The inclusion of AspenTech Cimphony Network Model Management™ in the Digital Grid Management suite enables utility customers to efficiently manage power system models. This is particularly relevant for water utilities, where efficient management of power systems is essential for maintaining reliable and sustainable operations.
Additionally, the expanded industrial AI offerings, such as precise analysis of reservoir changes using advanced machine learning techniques, can significantly enhance water resource management. Automated generation of plant layout in Aspen OptiPlant 3D Layout™ for both brownfield and greenfield projects can streamline infrastructure development, ensuring that water and sanitation facilities are designed and built with maximum efficiency and sustainability in mind.
The enhanced user experience and sustainability initiatives are also noteworthy. AspenTech Grid Apps™ web-based platform will streamline customer-utility interactions, while AspenTech Inmation™ will unlock online model deployment for Aspen Plus® and Aspen HYSYS®. These enhancements support improved sustainability across operations, which is critical for the water and sanitation sector as it strives to meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations and sustainability goals.
In summary, Emerson’s AspenTech v15 release is poised to drive significant advancements in the water, sanitation, and drainage sector. By leveraging industrial AI capabilities, the software promises to enhance operational performance, accelerate sustainability efforts, and empower industries to innovate and achieve long-term performance improvements. The question now is how quickly and effectively water and sanitation providers will adopt these technologies to stay ahead of the curve.