Installed in 2020 on the Beaurade wastewater treatment plant (360,000 inhabitant equivalent), the Purecontrol solution reduced the site's energy consumption by 15%. Following this initial success, the solution was deployed on 7 other treatment stations in Rennes Métropole. The Metropolis is now confirming its innovation and resilience approach by choosing Purecontrol for the next 4 years, with a contract for the widespread deployment of all of the city's sanitation infrastructures (treatment plants, lifting stations, lifting stations, photovoltaic panels, etc.).

Objective: to reduce energy consumption and to halve greenhouse gas emissions.

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An innovative solution installed throughout the country

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During the year 2024, Rennes Métropole launched a Call for Tenders for the management of sanitation infrastructures using artificial intelligence. Already deployed on 7 wastewater treatment plants, Rennes Métropole is renewing its confidence in Purecontrol's intelligent regulation for the next 4 years. The perimeter is expanding, going from 7 to 17 treatment stations which will benefit from the real-time control of pond aeration, and from the optimization of the injection of phosphate removal reagents for water treatment.

In addition, 150 transport network lift stations wastewater is also concerned. For this case of application, the Purecontrol solution will reduce energy consumption related to the pumping of stations, while limiting the risks of wastewater overflowing into a natural environment, especially during periods of heavy rains.

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Ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

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The management of the entire urban water cycle in Rennes and its agglomerations is ensured by Rennes Métropole. Since 2015, objectives of transparency, environmental performance and efficiency have been set up by the sanitation department, for halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. 5 main guidelines are defined for sanitation infrastructures:

• reduce energy consumption;
• reduce nitrous oxide emissions and energy-related emissions;
• limit the consumption of reagents that have an impact on the environment;
• equip treatment plants with renewable energy production centers;
• provide quality water treatment.

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Since 2020, Purecontrol has supported the wastewater treatment service of Rennes Métropole in its carbon neutrality strategy. The implementation of the solution contributes strongly to the achievement of these ambitious goals through the following application cases:

• reduction in the operating time of aerators in treatment tanks (the most energy-consuming station in the sanitation activity);
• maximizing the self-consumption of solar energy;
• limitation of N2O emissions (gas whose warming power is 300 times that of CO2)
• reduction in the use of phosphate removal reagents.

A strong partnership has thus been built over the years, making it possible to develop new solutions to optimize the management of wastewater for more than 450,000 inhabitants of the city.

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Artificial intelligence at the service of wastewater management

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Purecontrol offers a software solution based on artificial intelligence to enable industry and water management players to achieve their energy and environmental goals. Connected to the various wastewater management sites, the solution controls equipment in real time such as the pumping of the wastewater network, the aeration systems of basins in treatment plants or the injection of treatment reagents in real time. This control is adjusted continuously, according to the predictions provided by artificial intelligence. Based on the analysis of site operating data and based on external parameters such as weather, energy prices, or even the carbon intensity of the energy source (e.g. to promote the use of renewable energy), management ensures that the objectives pre-defined with operators are reached: reduction of energy consumption, compliance of water at the outlet, limitation of wastewater overflows... A solution that is already widely tested in the wastewater treatment sector in which Purecontrol already supports many operators in the intelligent management of wastewater treatment plants and lifting stations. With more than 500 sites managed by artificial intelligence, an average reduction in energy consumption of 15% has been observed.

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“A first experiment was conducted with Purecontrol in 2020 to optimize the energy consumption of the Cesson Sévigné and Acigné-Thorigné treatment plants. After the experiment was successful, we started to deploy the solution on other equipment. This new contract of 1.2 million euros excluding VAT signed in July 2024, for 4 years, aims to improve the performance of our treatment plants through a reduction in our consumption of energy and reagents and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. “- Daniel Yvanoff, metropolitan councillor responsible for sanitation

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‍“Faced with the climate emergency, the objective of our Territorial Climate Air Energy Plan (PCAET) is to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. In order to maintain this trajectory over time, in the context of a dynamic territory with a growing population, we are increasing our efforts. We continue to support the changes in practices of all actors, and to strengthen cooperation, which is demonstrated by this partnership between Rennes Métropole and Purecontrol, in order to amplify the impact of the policies we conduct. “-Olivier Dehaese, Metropolitan Vice President for Climate and Energy

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”Collaborating for several years with Rennes Métropole, a historical partner, is a real source of pride for Purecontrol. Winning this innovative tender, which integrates advances in artificial intelligence and environmental management, marks a new stage in our shared commitment to sustainability. This project places management at the forefront of innovation, while ensuring major energy and environmental gains for the territory..” - Geoffroy Maillard, CEO and co-founder of Purecontrol

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