R+D+i

At INCLAM, most of the investment in R+D+i is focused on applied research and the development of technological innovation.

During the last few years, INCLAM has launched a series of initiatives in order to create an environment in which research, development and innovation (R+D+i) progress simultaneously and in coordination with its business strategy.


To achieve these goals, based on our technological surveillance, we analyze the issues that we deem to be essential in our target market, focused on two main lines: water engineering and climate change. Within these markets, there are great deficiencies and opportunities at present, which may be resolved through the development of R+D+i projects or production improvement processes.

The most significant example of R+D+I inclusion into INCLAM's strategic lines is the development of GUAD 2D. This two-dimensional hydraulic simulation model appeared as a direct response to the convergence issues detected in other similar tools to be applied to many Spanish hydraulic basins. In 2006, development was materialised through the formalisation of an R+D+i project funded by IMADE, which presented improvements and new features of the tool created. At present, developments include failure solution and minor performance improvements, as well as new features in response to our clients' needs. 

RESEARCH AREAS

The most important research area at INCLAM is focused on the SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, proposing specific research lines according to the technological forecast performed in each opportunity. At present, INCLAM aims its lines at the following technological challenges:

• Climate change mitigation and adaptation, which will cause an increase in extreme water phenomena (floods and droughts.)
• Providing the whole population with access to drinking water, sanitation and water treatment, as a source of social development and disease elimination

At INCLAM, we identify the technologies with more impact upon resolving these challenges, where more R+D+i efforts should be made:

PROJECTS

• WatERP
  The main purpose of the project is to enhance the water supply/demand ratio from a holistic point of view by establishing an open management platform, thus allowing a comprehensive vision of the water distribution chain on an integrated basis. Due to the more dynamic and speedy interaction that it provides among the different participants involved in drinking water distribution, the platform could have influence on water governance improvement, keeping the autonomy and independence of participants. The project also comprises a strong dissemination campaign, as well as the evaluation of expected costs, benefits and market prospects.
  www.waterp-­fp7.eu
  
  
• TecoAgua:

It allows generating knowledge and developing new processes for the whole water cycle, which allows guaranteeing water supply availability and quality and water sustainability: effective management of slender resources, generation of alternative resources and CO2 emission reduction related to the water cycle.
http://cenit-tecoagua.com/index.html

• Q-Hydro:

Development and validation of software tools to determine river hydromorphology quality systematically. It is useful to contribute to the compliance with the Water Framework Directive (Directiva Marco del Agua) based on the information captured through airborne sensors (LIDAR and digital chamber)

• SAD-CENHI

Project reference number TSI-020602-2012-163 supported by the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism, within the National Plan for Scientific Research, Development and Technological Innovation.

It consists in the design of a Decision Support System aimed specifically at operating hydroelectric plants, with the intention to provide hydroelectric concessionaires with an appropriate technological tool to reconcile the economic profitability of operations and hydroelectric energy promotion, meeting the environmental goals set in the Water Framework Directive. 

• EASY-RIEGO

It is intended to develop and validate —under field conditions— an integrated and scalable system to make irrigation scheduling decisions, with the capacity to act over the irrigation system, performing timely actions to adjust the opening and closure of water intake towards plots of land.

• GUAD-2D:

Two-dimensional hydraulic simulation model for freshet waves, with the capacity to simulate localised rain, river structures and other types of conditions.

(more information about Guad2D)

Banco Hidroclimático:

This tool allows knowing and interpreting the effects caused by climate change on basin water resources, based on the management, treatment, standardisation and homogenisation of hydrological and climate data.

BioCO2:
This project is focused on the generation of methodologies that allow identifying Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects in forests and jungles. The purpose is to identify CO2 emission reductions to be registered with the United Nations pursuant to the needs set forth by the Kyoto Protocol and voluntary plans in Annex I countries

CO2-Logistic

This project is aimed at generating a methodology to calculate systematically the CO2 emissions (greenhouse gases) generated by the logistics sector daily activities. The calculation methodology will be created through research, development and the collection of information on emission factors, conversion factors and data elements, activities, processes and products involved in the logistics sector from a documentary point of view.

• PUMP SAPIENS

Project reference number TSI-100501-2013-2 supported by the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism, within the Strategic Action in the Digital Economy and Society (AEESD).

The main objective of "Pump Sapiens" is to create a tool for Decision Support System (DSS) based on a web platform that can improve the process of decision making in the daily management of pumping systems. Also this tool will be integrated into a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) implemented on the basis of the regulatory body established by the "Open Geospatial Consortium" (OGC®) and open interfaces to ensure interoperability with existing management systems.




COOPERATION:

To support the R+D+i activities performed at INCLAM, we cooperate with strongly specialized entities within each research line assumed: