Acea faces the challenge of the future between innovation and sustainability

Acea, which celebrated 115 years of activity in 2024, today pursues that path of innovation, inherent in its DNA, making use of the innovations made available by new technologies. The Roman Industry, which today supplies services in 16 regions, has an ambitious transformation plan, with technological innovation projects affecting all sectors of the group, some of which were presented to the public atlast assembly of the ANCI in Turin.

“We are faced with strong changes that impact citizens, businesses and the territory and as the country’s primary infrastructure operator we have the duty to evaluate how new innovations impact the way of working” – declares Marco Pastorello, Chief Transformation Officer of ACEA – who adds: “New technologies, such as robotics – already tested in Areti’s primary cabins – or predictive maintenance and Artificial Intelligence algorithms – already in use to monitor the first water districts of Lazio – contribute to improving the management of our infrastructures and to make everyday work more effective and safer”.

Sensory spheres which are introduced into sewerage networks, the robot dog (TEDDI – Electronic Tool for Digitalization and Diagnostics in Inspections) and drones are the latest tools deployed for inspections, monitoring and maintenance of infrastructures as well as for support in the development of the design phases .
These technologies help improve the safety of operating personnel allowing safer inspections of difficult to reach or risky places, such as sewer tunnels.

In the water sector, Acea uses robots equipped with sensors for detecting chemical and physical data which are introduced into the sewer network from an access well and, exploiting the capacity of the network itself, are transported along the sewer to then be extracted from a second inspection pit after data acquisition.
This robotic solution aims to precisely locate the points of entry of water external to the sewer network (parasitic waters/unauthorized discharges) but also any breakages.

It is definitely more curious T.E.D.D.I. il cane robot able to move and collect information from the surrounding environment. TEDDI analyzes the information collected by the sensors with AI algorithms, creates 3D reconstructions of spaces, identifies thermal anomalies and sends timely alerts if necessary. This advanced technology revolutionizes the execution of autonomous inspections in primary cabins, guaranteeing greater safety and efficiency in the related operational management thanks to its precision and autonomy.
The robot sends alarms to the control platform, which allows you to view the measurements made and allows remote control.
Key features include: the environmental mapping and autonomous navigation, thermographic analysis, partial discharge detection, identification of suspicious people and objects, the 3D reconstruction and remote control.

Acea couldn’t miss drones. The Roman Multiutility uses them equipped with thermal cameras, LiDar and Georadar to monitor the health of water networks; for the inspection of high and medium voltage cables, and for the design and screening of construction sites.