Page 45 - BENTLEY SYSTEMS PR REPORT - OCTOBER 2024

11/1/24, 1:19 PM Unleashing the power of digital twins: Transforming water infrastructure in the GCC - Utilities Middle East
envisions a future where digital twins significantly enhance infrastructure resilience, sustainability,
and customer engagement.

Bentley Systems, Velickov explains, is at the forefront of digital innovation. “Our aim,” he says, “is
to provide advanced software solutions that not only drive infrastructure forward but also
improve the quality of life.” Bentley’s technology covers the full lifecycle of infrastructure—from
planning and designing to building and operational stages—opening avenues for operational
efficiencies and environmental gains in water management.

At the heart of this transformation are digital twins, digital representations of physical systems
that can reflect real-time states, predict behaviours, and even foresee future challenges. “Our
‘iTwin’ technology,” Velickov shares, “empowers operators to have an accurate, real-time view of
their infrastructure, enabling informed decisions that boost efficiency and mitigate risks.” He
elaborates that these digital twins integrate engineering, operational, and informational
technologies, leveraging IoT, AI, and machine learning to model flow rates, pressure points, water

quality, and more.

Digital twins, Velickov asserts, offer unparalleled benefits to water infrastructure management by
enabling proactive maintenance and optimising energy use, all while reducing water losses.
“Imagine a system that doesn’t just show where a leak is but anticipates where a future leak

might happen,” he explains. “This level of insight can reduce non-revenue water losses and
ensure efficient energy use—a vital priority in this water-scarce region.”

The GCC region, with its unique climate and urban expansion projects, stands to gain
considerably from this technology. Bentley’s clients, like Saudi Arabia’s National Water Company

and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), have already seen impressive outcomes. “For
instance, in Abu Dhabi, ADDC implemented sectorisation of their water network, which enabled
better control of water balances and reduced transient effects,” he shares. “Similarly, DEWA has
adopted Bentley’s solutions to build its strategic master plan, laying the foundation for a
comprehensive digital twin network.”

But challenges remain. As Velickov notes, “Many water companies grapple with data silos,
resistance to new technology, and limited budgets.” He emphasises that Bentley’s approach
begins with small-scale proof-of-concept implementations that showcase tangible returns on
investment. “A successful pilot demonstrating even a 10% reduction in water loss can rapidly
gain stakeholder buy-in and lead to broader scalability.”

Interoperability among systems is another hurdle, particularly given the variety of software
solutions used across the water industry. Bentley’s iTwin platform addresses this with open
standards, allowing diverse systems to interact seamlessly. “Our platform doesn’t seek to replace
existing systems but rather to integrate and augment them,” Velickov clarifies. Cybersecurity, too,
is a priority, especially for critical infrastructure. Bentley’s partnerships with trusted names like
Microsoft ensure that digital twin systems are “secure by design.”

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