Dam monitoring intelligence delivered by HR Wallingford

DAMSAT

Intelligent dam safety monitoring from HR Wallingford

News

DAMSAT Successfully Deployed to CONIDA

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We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of an extension to our project, which has culminated in the deployment of DAMSAT to Peru’s National Commission for Aerospace Research and Development (CONIDA). This milestone marks a significant achievement for our team and we are proud to have reached this point in our journey.

The extension of this project was focused on transferring an implementation of DAMSAT to CONIDA and enhancing the capabilities of Peruvian institutions in the field of remote sensing and dam monitoring. The deployment of DAMSAT to CONIDA is a major milestone in our sustainability objectives. The tool will provide critical information to CONIDA, Agency for Environmental Assessment and Enforcement (OEFA), Supervisory Agency for Investment in Energy and Mining (OSINERGMIN), Amazon and National Surveillance Center (CEVAN) and other institutions, helping them make informed decisions about dam safety and ensuring the well-being of communities near these critical structures.

We would like to express our gratitude to the UK Space Agency and CONIDA for their support and partnership throughout this project. Their contributions have been instrumental in helping us achieve this milestone and we are proud to have been able to work with them on this important initiative.

Furthermore, we would like to extend our appreciation to OEFA, OSINERGMIN, CEVAN and all other stakeholders who have contributed to this achievement. Their hard work and dedication have been essential to the success of this project and we are grateful for their support.

Looking ahead, we remain committed to investing in innovative solutions and technologies that will help us stay at the forefront of our industry. We are thrilled to have completed this project and look forward to the next phase of our journey in dam safety monitoring.

DAMSAT Business Manager

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Due to increasing demand for DAMSAT systems and services we are seeking a talented individual to lead and grow this area of our business.

About the role

You will have a proven track record of business development and sales of technical software and services. Experience of working in the asset management sector or UK water industry would be advantageous.

The role is based within our Floods & Water Management Group and reports to the Technical Director (Dams & Reservoirs). Duties will include:

  • Through internal meetings with various technical staff, develop a thorough understanding of DAMSAT.
  • Travel and present on DAMSAT capabilities/developments at conferences and networking events.
  • Work with our marketing and communications department to develop and ‘own’ the DAMSAT marketing strategy. Provide ‘thought leadership’ text, interviews and social media posts/soundbites to support this strategy.
  • Field initial inquiries about DAMSAT, demonstrating the highest level of customer care, consulting with technical colleagues where appropriate.
  • Generate leads for DAMSAT systems and services, and associated research and consultancy opportunities. Track and maintain knowledge of the status of these at all times.
  • In some cases, lead the preparation and submission of proposals for DAMSAT services, supported by technical staff where necessary.
  • Carry out continuous market research, identifying areas for development, and building the internal business case for any R&D investment required for DAMSAT
  • Identify external opportunities for R&D investment in DAMSAT.
  • Plan and oversee the www.damsat.com website working with MarComms for technical support, and ensuring it is always relevant, up to date and client-focused.
  • Develop a long term strategy and associated fully costed business plan for the future of DAMSAT, building on the current business plan as you see fit.
  • Demonstrate how DAMSAT income is increasing over time.

About you

The successful candidate will have:

  • A degree in a suitably related subject, such as business studies, earth observation, civil engineering, geotechnical engineering
  • A willingness to travel, network and present on DAMSAT at conferences and workshops
  • Proven experience of successfully selling technical services or products (ideally for a new product or service)
  • Experience of developing costed business plans and securing funding
  • Confidence in public speaking, presenting, giving interviews
  • Successful bid writing experience
  • Ability to work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams;
  • Excellent inter-personal and client liaison skills;
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English;
  • A full UK driving licence and suitable vehicle for visiting client offices within the UK.

Additional information

Further information about our company culture is found at https://www.hrwallingford.com/why-hr-wallingford including our approach to Diversity and Inclusion. Further information about the application process including flexible working, pre employment screening and sponsorship is found at https://www.hrwallingford.com/job-application-faqs.

Our excellent benefits package includes:

  • Hybrid (office/home) working may be available for this role (currently being trialled)
  • A defined contribution pension scheme with minimum 10% contribution from the employer (up to 15% with matched funding)
  • Life insurance x 3 salary
  • 25 days holiday, plus three days discretionary company holiday and eight bank holidays, 
  • Permanent health insurance (subject to eligibility rules). 
  • Flexible working hours which allows for additional leave to be taken subject to hours accrued and business needs
  • Onsite restaurant, gym and nursery at our stunning Howbery Park campus on the banks of the river Thames in Oxfordshire.
  • Active sports and social club. 
  • Cycle to work scheme. 
  • Employee Assistance Programme.

To apply, visit https://www.hrwallingford.com/careers/damsat-business-manager

The sky’s the limit for DAMSAT at NCE Techfest Awards

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We’re over the moon that our DAMSAT team has won two prizes at the New Civil Engineer’s Techfest Awards: Technology Provider Trailblazer and Technology Leader Trailblazer.

DAMSAT harnesses satellite technology to remotely monitor water and tailings dams. The system helps to reduce the risk of failure of these structures and protect people and ecosystems downstream of dams.

New Civil Engineer’s TechFest, supported by Construction News, is a unique forum to discover innovative ideas from across the industry. Following a year where technology has been more important than ever, the TechFest awards celebrate the industry’s achievements in embracing change.

Craig Goff, technical director at HR Wallingford said: “At HR Wallingford, we believe that the sky’s the limit when it comes to using space technology to solve the world’s most pressing problems. These awards are a wonderful platform to showcase how the latest innovation in space data can be applied to dam monitoring to safeguard communities and livelihoods around the world.”

Developed by HR Wallingford, DAMSAT uses satellite Earth Observation techniques – including the analysis of spectral responses from satellite images and signals from navigation satellite systems – combined with real-time in-situ monitoring devices.

The technology can monitor and predict a host of safety indicators including: dam movement; leakage and pollution; and water level changes. Extensively piloted on over 30 tailings and water dams in Peru, DAMSAT is designed with the user in mind, offering a suite of individual modules that can be selected to best suit the particular dam and users’ needs.

Opportunities to employ the leading-edge monitoring are considerable. Globally, nearly 60,000 dams are registered with the International Commission for large Dams (ICOLD), which are estimated to hold 16,201 km3 of water – the same volume as around 6.5 billion Olympic-sized swimming pools.

DAMSAT’s development was funded by the UK Space Agency.

Image caption: HR Wallingford’s Marta Roca and Craig Goff (far right) collect the TechFest Award alongside the NCE’s Rob Horgan

New paper: Satellite data for dam safety monitoring

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A journal paper on satellite data for dam safety monitoring, written by a team from HR Wallingford, has been published in the ICE’s Dams & Reservoirs journal. 

The paper – written by Craig Goff, Eleanor Aindsco, Ye Liu and Marta Roca – gives an overview of the different types of satellite datasets and infrastructure relevant to dam safety that are currently available, explains the complex processes of converting raw satellite data into useable information and summarises the advantages and disadvantages of each data type.

The information presented by the authors is based on experience gained undertaking a three-year, £4 m research project to investigate and combine many types of space data to improve the monitoring of dams.

Further information: https://bit.ly/SatDamPaper

Satellite imagery data comparison tool showing a dam site in Peru monitored by a regulator.

https://www.icevirtuallibrary.com/doi/abs/10.1680/jdare.21.00021

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DAMSAT shortlisted for two NCE TechFest awards

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Our pioneering DAMSAT technology has been shortlisted in two categories of the NCE TechFest Awards 2021: Technology Leader Trailblazer, and Technology Provider Trailblazer.

Craig Goff, who leads HR Wallingford’s Dams and Reservoirs team and Emerging Technologies sector, said: “We’re delighted to be shortlisted for these prestigious awards. We believe that DAMSAT has the potential to save thousands of lives. It’s an extremely powerful tool that uses satellite technology to bring together data about the current state of water and tailings dams, so owners and regulators can see from one simple dashboard if there is a problem that needs attention.”

The award winners will be announced at the one-day NCE Tech Festival on 2 December. The organisers say that the awards will recognise and reward those projects, teams and companies doing most to harness technologies that drive the construction and civil engineering industry forward.

The list of all the awards and finalists at: https://techfest.newcivilengineer.com/shortlist

DAMSAT harnesses HR Wallingford’s expertise in dam safety, flood risk modelling and Earth observation technologies. As trusted partners, we deliver bespoke DAMSAT solutions tailored to our clients’ unique needs. NCE-TechFest-and-HR-Wallingford-logos