The scarcity of natural resources means that water, energy and raw materials are becoming increasingly expensive and must therefore be managed wherever they are consumed, i.e. buildings, cities and industries. To optimize facilities and save natural resources, consumption must be efficiently measured. This is the role of Hubgrade, a smart monitoring center created by Veolia where water, energy and waste management experts analyze data from the Group’s clients.
“Before Hubgrade, the client only checked their utility and waste management bills once a month. Now, they can find out at any time how much they are spending and saving on energy, water and waste,” explains Antonio Neves da Silva, Marketing Manager in Veolia’s Development, Innovation and Markets department. “Today, thanks to our investment in the realm of connected objects and smart technologies, we can optimize water, energy and material flows in real time at the sites and infrastructure of our municipal, commercial and industrial clients.”
Veolia thus offers its services coupled with a commitment to results.
“Hubgrade relies on an integrated digital platform that produces indicators to monitor the facilities’ smooth running and makes it possible to trigger alerts and fast and effective interventions,” highlights Rachid Hamida, Tools & Methods Manager in Veolia’s Technical and Performance department.
As soon as a Hubgrade detects a consumption drift or an equipment malfunction, the analysts take real-time action either remotely or by sending a team to the location.
“Our command and control systems and modeling tools allow us to reduce the consumption of the facilities we manage,” underlines Pierre Fedick, Veolia Energy France’s Director of Innovation.
With Hubgrade, Veolia is deploying a new organization, digital systems and innovative business models to implement change. “As we are becoming more efficient, we are also offering new services and an enhanced customer experience to our clients,” concludes Antonio Neves da Silva.
Data analysis
Over 300,000 smart sensors already send data in real time from thousands of sites to the fifteen Hubgrade centers, which employ over 50 full-time analysts. Detailed analysis of this data makes it possible to optimize these facilities’ consumption. For instance, analyzing a building’s indoor air quality in line with the premises’ occupation data allows the air conditioning systems to be continually adjusted, guaranteeing comfort conditions, while optimizing their energy efficiency.
Job profiles
Each Hubgrade brings together 3 to 15 professionals, with three main profiles: data analysts with expertise in energy, water and waste, auditors, and finally systems engineers. Hubgrade is a real change management tool. The in-situ team coordinates with the operational teams on site.
Guaranteed savings
Veolia manages over 160 performance contracts with guaranteed savings. The aim is to help its clients move toward a circular economy by measuring, analyzing and optimizing water, energy and material flows in real time.
Fifteen Hubgrade centers worldwide
Dublin (Ireland), Birmingham (United Kingdom), Amsterdam (the Netherlands), Stockholm (Sweden), Paris and Marseille (France), Budapest (Hungary), Brussels (Belgium), Shanghai (China), Bilbao, Madrid and Barcelona (Spain), Milan (Italy), Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Sydney (Australia).
