World’s first floating voice of nature reveals water quality
Nova Innova and Deltares are launching a trial with the world’s first floating voice of nature. That voice is concealed in glass spheres that float on the water, magnifying the life and movement in the water.
Waternet, the Amstel, Gooi en Vecht water authority, the municipal authorities of Utrecht and Voorne aan Zee, Fieldlab Green Economy Westvoorne and In-Lite Design have signed an agreement to work in a consortium on the trial.
The floating spheres on the water, which show the water quality with coloured light, and magnify life and movement in the water, are called POND. They contain special lights and have been fitted out with sensors that register the quality of the water and make it visible. Nova Innova worked with Southampton University over a period of four years to develop a robust system that runs on energy from nature itself using a bio fuel cell. The consortium developed the application further. The technology is being made suitable for public spaces in locations in Amsterdam, Utrecht and Voorne aan Zee.
There will also be a fourth location on the Deltares campus. Project Manager Koen Pelsma: “At our location, the focus is mainly on generating and validating the measurement data. We have everything close by here, such as our Delta lab, and we will also be looking at whether we can extend the range of sensors. Each of the trial locations will have a specific objective.”
At the Oosterdok in Amsterdam, POND will be used to kick off discussions in society about water quality. After all, the spheres will make water quality clear to see for the general public. In Utrecht, POND will be part of the joint healthy water programme of the city authority and the Hoogheemraadschap De Stichtse Rijnlanden water authority. Here again, one of the added values will be raising awareness. In Voorne aan Zee and at the Fieldlab, the focus will include testing the setup in brackish water with waves, and showing how human behaviour affects the water. In addition, this location is thinking about forecasting blue-green algae. Finally, Rotterdam will also be continuing to work with Nova Innova on a trial with POND in another project.
Ultimately, POND is expected to:
- be used in multiple locations with different sensor combinations;
- generate accurate, validated, signals;
- deliver results that will be available online;
- provide us with a clearer insight into how nature is doing, inspire us to take good care of nature and teach us about ways to improve water quality.
The trials with POND are being supported by funding from the PPS innovation programme subsidy from the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, and specifically by the delta technology TKI programme, with the aim of stimulating innovations for a sustainable delta.
