Egypt’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation is preparing to begin trial operation of a digital twin for the Ismailia Canal and its branches as part of a broader drive to use digital technology to improve water management.
Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam emphasized that digital transformation is a fundamental aspect of enhancing the water management system by increasing the use of technology in monitoring, managing, and distributing water.
Sewilam made these comments during a meeting with several senior officials from the ministry to review the progress of the ministry’s digital transformation efforts and the status of the “Digital Twin Application Project for the Ismailia Canal and its Branches,” which is part of the objectives of the Second Generation of the Water System (2.0).
The minister noted that the ministry is focused on developing a comprehensive system utilizing the latest digital technologies in water management, while also expanding the implementation of digital twins as a cutting-edge aspect of digital transformation.
He elaborated that digital twins allow for the creation of a digital model that simulates the water system and connects this model to real-time data gathered through the nationwide telemetry network. This setup enables the monitoring of the system’s operational status and the analysis of its performance, facilitating proactive measures and informed decision-making related to operations and maintenance, as well as improving overall efficiency.
Sewilam further mentioned that the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation is working to establish a smart management system that connects the various sectors of the ministry in real time, enhancing field monitoring and ensuring immediate oversight of waterway conditions.
This system will also integrate with the ministry’s operational plan, allowing for the amalgamation of databases and information from different sectors and affiliated entities, linking them to modern digital systems. This will provide a thorough and up-to-date overview of the water system’s status, aiding in quicker and more precise decision-making. Regarding the advancement of the digital system for the Ismailia Canal and its branches, Sewilam instructed the Irrigation Department to promptly finalize the installation of water-level measuring gauges and telemetry devices at various sites along the Ismailia Canal and its branches.
The minister also directed the Irrigation Department to initiate the pilot operation of the digital twin model for the Ismailia Canal and utilize it for daily water management and distribution along the canal and its branches. He noted that this would enhance the speed and accuracy of the system’s operations and lay the groundwork for its broader application in the near future.
Source: Egypt’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation
