Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) has revealed the successful launch of Malaysia’s inaugural Digital Twin Water Treatment Plant (WTP) located at Semenyih 2 WTP. This milestone is the result of a partnership with Schneider Electric, a worldwide frontrunner in energy management and automation.
Since its inception in 2022, Semenyih 2 WTP has been recognized as Malaysia’s first fully automated water treatment facility, now enhanced with Asset Digital Twin technology. This innovative system facilitates autonomous functioning during standard operations, startup, and shutdown phases. The plant has a daily production capacity of 100 million litres (MLD) and is projected to boost productivity by as much as 20%, establishing a new standard for efficiency and innovation in water management.
Highlighting the importance of technology in promoting sustainability and resilience within water management, Adam Saffian Ghazali, the Chief Executive Officer of Air Selangor, remarked, “The Digital Twin solutions represent a transformative advancement for the water sector. By allowing real-time monitoring and optimization of our WTP operations, we can ensure a more stable and dependable water supply, minimize inefficiencies, and enhance service quality for our 9.62 million customers. This is in line with our dedication to sustainability and our ambition to become Asia’s premier water services provider by 2030.”
The facility’s average output stands at 100 million litres per day (MLD), with expectations to improve productivity by up to 20%. With the introduction of the Asset Digital Twin model at Semenyih 2 WTP, Air Selangor is equipped to identify anomalies proactively, refine water distribution strategies, and anticipate the effects of both planned and unforeseen events ahead of time. Schneider Electric emphasizes that as the digital twin model gathers more data, it can forecast occurrences months in advance, facilitating effective facility management.
“Digital twin technology—a digital representation of physical water systems and processes—is transforming the water sector. By merging various data streams with online hydraulic modeling in their extensive water distribution network, Air Selangor is gaining a profound insight into intricate water distribution systems through real-time monitoring and the ability to control water flow remotely as needed, leading to better decision-making and operational efficiency in water management,” stated Shanmugavel Subramaniam, Global Water Segment Leader at Schneider Electric.
The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) has cautioned that Malaysia could encounter significant water shortages in the next five years due to climate change, increasing water demand, and deteriorating infrastructure.
“Water security is a pressing challenge, and maintaining our current path is not viable. It is crucial for Malaysia’s water sector to regard all assets as reusable resources, shifting our mindset and practices towards a circular economy. By perceiving water and its related processes as interconnected systems, we can boost sustainability, optimize resource use, and enhance efficiency. Companies must drive innovation through investment in advanced water treatment technologies and the adoption of best practices. We applaud Air Selangor for its proactive initiatives in leading the way towards a more sustainable water future in Malaysia,” remarked Eugene Quah, Country President for Malaysia at Schneider Electric.
Source :Air Selangor
