<p>Making a positive impact on the planet motivates us to take on and solve global water challenges. Through our projects, we support the UN Sustainable Development Goals together with clients and partners from all over the world. From developing offshore wind farms, to safeguarding cities from flooding, protecting shorelines from erosion and enriching biodiversity in water basins. </p>

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Local authorities enable sustainable water management for residential, industrial and commercial consumers with advanced hydraulic modelling
 
Montpellier, a dynamic metropolis in southern France, is continuously modernising its water distribution network to meet growing population demands. In some areas, existing systems, designed for a different era and needs, must be adapted to address urban development and certain impacts of climate change, such as increasing pressure on water resources. Faced with rising demand, issues of water losses within the network and the challenge of optimising distribution in areas with varied topography, the city decided to adopt a sustainable water management approach. Through advanced hydraulic modelling with DHI’s MIKE+, the Régie des Eaux de Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole (RE3M) aims to pursue several key objectives: evaluating the capacity of water networks to accommodate urban growth, ensuring reliable, high-quality water services while controlling costs for users, and promoting environmental sustainability through indicators that enable optimised resource management. This approach ensures a more resilient and sustainable future for the region.
 
Challenge
The Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole Water Authority (RE3M) aims to enhance its operations through several initiatives, including improving efficiency during peak demand periods, particularly in the summer, and continuously optimising the performance of its water networks while maintaining sufficient water pressure at all points to ensure fire safety. Additionally, RE3M is focused on reducing leaks and conserving water to minimise energy consumption and reduce operational costs.
 
 
Solution
The RE3M and DHI teams collaborated closely to develop a detailed hydraulic model of the water distribution network using MIKE+. This model enables the simulation of various scenarios and identification of system vulnerabilities. The collaboration resulted in a comprehensive hydraulic model covering approximately 900 km of network, representing five of the 14 municipalities managed by RE3M, with a daily water consumption of nearly 100,000 m3 for residential, commercial and industrial consumers. The model achieved high accuracy, with over 90% of the 162 calibration points (flow, pressure and levels) delivering excellent precision, demonstrating its reliability.
In the long term, this ‘digital twin’ of the network will provide detailed real-time information, easily accessible through the  MIKE WaterNet Advisor application, which will be used daily by the RE3M teams. This will enable proactive, collaborative and efficient system management, significantly enhancing operational efficiency.
 
Results
By enhancing its hydraulic modelling with MIKE+, RE3M can now anticipate and manage its water network more effectively, reducing water losses and ensuring reliable supply while optimising costs and lowering environmental impact. This approach not only boosts network efficiency and service reliability but also achieves significant cost savings, paving the way for a more resilient water future.

Speeding up offshore wind development: Wave simulation made fast, easy and accurate

The operator quickly gained an accurate assessment of extreme wave conditions with MIKE Metocean Simulator at Japan’s first offshore wind observation test site.&nbsp;
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At the first-ever offshore wind observation test site in Japan, which has been officially established as Mutsu-Ogawara Offshore Wind Observation Test Site (MTS) owned and jointly operated by Kobe University (KU) and Mutsu-Ogawara Metocean Observation Center (MOC) since April 2024, Rera Tech Inc. (RTI), acting as a Secretariat on behalf of KU and MOC, requested information on extreme metocean conditions.
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The test site is used to test the performance of offshore wind measurement equipment to support the development of the renewable energy sector. Assessment of extreme wave conditions was needed for the design of mooring arrangements of Floating LiDAR Systems (FLS) at the test site. FLS provide a cost-efficient solution for accurate estimation of offshore wind resources.&nbsp;
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Extreme wave conditions were quickly estimated from a long-term timeseries of wave conditions at the site. The modelled results were validated against nearby short-term measurements and at the site to ensure that the long-term data could be used with confidence for extreme value analysis. The extreme wave conditions were modelled using the MIKE Metocean Simulator software, faster, smarter and at lower cost than conventional numerical wave modelling.
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Challenge
Japan aims to become one of the world's leading producers of offshore wind energy, targeting 10 GW capacity by 2030 as part of its efforts in reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. But the global offshore wind sector is facing challenges such as high supply chain inflation and rising interest rates, and there is an urgent need to reduce both risk and cost in all phases of offshore wind farm development.&nbsp;
MTS is the first of its kind in Japan. It was initially developed by KU, Japan Weather Association (JWA) and RTI under a project led by a national research and development agency (NEDO) in 2023, followed by its transition to KU in April 2024. MTS provides test sites to verify accuracy of observation data measured by offshore wind measurement equipment to ultimately promote development of the renewable energy sector in Japan.
The FLS test site is exposed to high waves caused by extratropical cyclones and occasionally typhoons. A nearby vertical concrete breakwater complicates the wave field due to waves reflecting off the vertical face of the structure. RTI requested an accurate estimation of extreme wave conditions. The results had to be made available in limited time and pass thorough validation checks against measurements at the site. Traditional methods of acquiring such data can be both slow and expensive.&nbsp;

Nature-based solutions supporting climate resilience in the Shabelle River basin

Exploring how nature-based solutions can provide effective flood and drought mitigation for Somalia 
 
Over the past decades, Somalia has been experiencing increasingly frequent and severe floods. With environmental degradation being considered one of the main contributors to this change, nature-based solutions (NbS) have a high potential for mitigating flood risk in the area. Using hydrologic and hydraulic mathematical modelling to analyse options such as reforestation or sand dams, UNEP-DHI Centre on Water and Environment assessed this potential within the Shabelle River basin and found that a variety of NbS are applicable in Somalia. These findings will support the National Flood and Drought Task Force of Somalia in planning future flood and drought interventions in the basin. 
 
Challenge
Many ephemeral rivers, or ‘wadis’, in Somalia are prone to flash floods. Flooding occurs when heavy rains lead to a sudden increase in river flow, followed by a quick recession, and can cause loss of lives and property in downstream settlements. The severity and frequency of flooding from the Shabelle Rivers has been increasing in the past few decades, and it is thought that increased sediment deposition in rivers (brought about by activities such as deforestation which degrade soil structure), and subsequent raising of the riverbed, is the major contributor to this change. NbS, aimed at restoring degraded riverine ecosystems, have the potential to mitigate flooding in the area. With some of these solutions simultaneously enhancing groundwater recharge, their implementation could serve the dual purpose of flood and drought management, increasing community resilience to climate extremes. 
 
Solution
In the implementation of the project, UNEP undertook research into the potential of nature-based solutions for mitigating flood and drought hazards. The UNEP-DHI Centre team provided the technical inputs necessary to support this research, which can assist Somali decision-makers in planning and scaling up nature-based approaches to flood mitigation.
 
UNEP-DHI’s study identified flood-targeting NbS already tested in the Somali context and assessed their effectiveness using hydrological and hydraulic models developed with MIKE HYDRO River (now known as MIKE+ Rivers). For flash flood mitigation in ephemeral wadis, peak flow in response to heavy rainfall was compared between a baseline scenario and scenarios employing reforestation, terracing or water retention structures such as sand dams and weirs. For sediment-related riverine floods, a hydraulic river model with sediment transport components was used to assess the effectiveness of different NbS in decreasing the mass of sediment entering the river and in decreasing incidence of flooding. 

Navigating water resources challenges in the Senegal River Basin

Integrated hydrological and hydraulic studies enhance water management and resilience to climate change&nbsp;
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The Senegal River basin, located in West Africa, spans four countries and covers 1.6% of the continent. The river basin faces significant challenges due to uncontrolled tributaries causing droughts, floods and erosion, directly impacting the lives of local communities and the health of the environment. Additionally, existing water management systems, designed using historical climate data, may not adequately address the increasing frequency and severity of climate events. By utilising DHI’s integrated hydrological and hydraulic modelling, the Organisation for the Development of the Senegal River (OMVS) has adopted a modern approach to water resource management. This enables more accurate understanding of floods and droughts, helping local communities adapt to future uncertainties and safeguard their livelihoods.
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Challenge
Uncontrolled tributaries are streams or rivers flowing into a main river without regulation or management. Influenced by natural factors like rainfall and topography, their flow can fluctuate due to weather events. Human activities such as deforestation and agriculture can further impact their flow and health. This can lead to challenges like flooding, erosion and water quality issues, making effective monitoring and management essential for the river system's overall health.
In the Senegal River basin, these challenges affect both residents and the environment. For local communities, these issues have led to water scarcity, affecting agriculture and livelihoods while limiting access to clean water, exacerbating food insecurity and poverty. Environmentally, these challenges result in habitat degradation, loss of biodiversity and decreased soil fertility, highlighting the urgent need for integrated water resources management approaches to address the impacts on both human and ecological communities.&nbsp;
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Solution
For nearly two decades, DHI and OMVS have built a strong partnership that has resulted in an enhanced understanding of the hydrological dynamics in the Senegal River Basin.&nbsp;
For this project, DHI conducted hydrological and hydraulic studies of the Senegal River's uncontrolled tributaries using DHI’s Global Hydrological Model (GHM), focusing on evaluating water resources, understanding the dynamics of water flow and erosion phenomena, and identifying interventions for sustainable management. Using DHI’s GHM, runoff has been computed for the entire river basin to assess the water availability in key uncontrolled tributaries.
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The solution involved gathering data on geographic, climatic and hydrometric conditions, creating thematic maps to illustrate the basin's characteristics and using hydrological modelling to simulate water movement and distribution. The aim was to establish a foundation for informed decision-making that addresses both the immediate and long-term needs of the basin's ecosystems and communities while considering the impacts of climate change and human activities.
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Results
The solution has established a basin-wide hydrological and hydraulic model for the Senegal River's basin. OMVS can now improve strategic planning and better anticipate floods and droughts, enabling targeted prioritisation of interventions in the uncontrolled tributaries of the basin. The enhanced water management aims to improve water availability, reduce flood and erosion risks, and increase agricultural productivity to the benefit of the quality of life of the local community. Additionally, this approach has facilitated the stabilisation and restoration of natural habitats, benefitting aquatic ecosystems.

 Supporting sand management along Adelaide’s shoreline

Applying shoreline morphology modelling supported by 40+ years of coastal monitoring to evaluate management options
 
Since the 1970s, the Government of South Australia’s Department for Environment and Water (DEW) has actively managed Adelaide’s shoreline through renourishment efforts. Despite recent large annual backpass campaigns, the shoreline between Adelaide Shores boat harbour and the West Beach Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) continues to experience localised erosion. To address this issue, DEW has commissioned DHI to conduct a coastal processes modelling study. This study aims to enhance understanding of the coastal dynamics at West Beach and to explore alternative long-term management strategies.
 
Challenge
The Adelaide Metropolitan coastline comprises a discrete littoral sediment cell that extends along 30 km of the semi-protected eastern shoreline of Gulf St Vincent in South Australia. Sediment within the littoral cell is moved in a net northward direction with no significant supply of sediment provided from the south or offshore to replenish the beaches. The chronic sediment supply deficit combined with the impacts of historical coastal developments pose an ongoing challenge to the management of Adelaide’s Metropolitan coastline.
 
Solution
Providing models to assess management options
 
A comprehensive assessment of the coastal processes and observed erosion in the West Beach sediment cell was undertaken. This evaluation combines analysis of existing data with a state-of-the-art numerical modelling framework to predict long-term shoreline evolution.
 
Driven by MIKE Powered by DHI software, we developed hydrodynamic, wave and shoreline morphology models and calibrated them based on available measurements. In total, six management scenarios comprising of combinations of soft management options (nourishment, backpass systems) and hard structures have been simulated. For each scenario, the morphological evolution of the entire West Beach shoreline has been simulated for 7.5 years providing comparative assessments of the pros and cons of each scenario.
 
Results
The solution provided the Government of South Australia with:

An updated description of coastal processesUtilising historic data and advanced modeling techniques, the solution provided a comprehensive understanding of coastal processes in the region, facilitating more accurate assessments of coastal behaviour over time.
Comparison of management options and associated morphological impactsThe solution offered valuable insights into how different management approaches might affect coastal morphology, enabling more informed decisions about which strategies are likely to be most effective in mitigating coastal erosion and other challenges.
Data to support future decision-making for coastal managementReliable data is now available to support ongoing and future decision-making processes related to coastal management.


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