From planning to practice: the digital twin revolution in water management
On December 17, 2024, Autodesk and Smart Water Magazine hosted the webinar “From Planning to Practice: Integrated Hydraulic Models in the Digital Twin with InfoWorks WS Pro and iWG”, a key installment in the Autodesk Water Webinar Series. The event, moderated by Cristina Novo, featured insightful presentations by Luca Serena, Product Specialist Sales Executive at Autodesk Water, alongside Francesca Zanello, R&D Coordinator, and Elia Zanelli, Hydraulic Engineer, both from Idrostudi. Together, they provided a comprehensive exploration of how integrated hydraulic models within digital twins are transforming water management practices.
Hydraulic models: a dynamic cornerstone for water utilities
The session began with a clear premise: hydraulic models have evolved from static tools for network planning into dynamic systems capable of supporting real-time operational decisions. Luca Serena introduced the advanced functionalities of InfoWorks WS Pro, Autodesk’s hydraulic modeling solution, underscoring its role as the foundation for digital transformation in water utilities.
Serena highlighted how the seamless integration of hydraulic models with SCADA, GIS, and decision-support systems enables continuous monitoring and optimization. Water utilities now have tools that allow them to predict system behavior, plan maintenance, and respond dynamically to emergencies, all while ensuring efficient resource management.
The iWG platform: empowering operational excellence
iWG is the smart digital solution that enhances awareness of water supply system status and efficiency
Francesca Zanello presented the iWG platform as a revolutionary tool for transforming water utilities’ digital strategies. Combining real-time operational data with InfoWorks WS Pro’s hydraulic modeling power, iWG creates a fully integrated digital twin.
“With iWG, utilities achieve a new level of awareness of their systems, enabling smarter decision-making and efficient management of critical assets,” Zanello explained. She showcased how the platform’s intuitive web-based interface enables users to visualize the network’s behavior in real time, facilitating pressure management, leak detection, and emergency response.
Next, Elia Zanelli showcased a live demo that illustrated how real-time SCADA inputs are integrated into the digital twin, allowing utilities to adjust operational parameters dynamically. Through simulations, users could model pressure variations, optimize demand management, and anticipate the effects of infrastructure changes before applying them in the field.
The Q&A: real-world solutions for global challenges
The interactive Q&A session brought insightful and practical questions from participants representing countries across Europe, North America, Africa, Asia, and South America, underscoring the global interest in digital water management solutions.
One of the central topics revolved around the scalability of these tools. Attendees were keen to understand how InfoWorks WS Pro and iWG can adapt to large, complex networks. Elia Zanelli explained that InfoWorks WS Pro’s robust computational engine ensures scalability without compromising performance. “Whether for small towns or megacities, these tools can analyze vast networks efficiently, providing consistent and actionable results,” he stated.
"With iWG, utilities achieve a new level of awareness of their systems, enabling smarter decision-making and efficient management of critical assets"
Another recurring question concerned interoperability with existing software solutions like InfoWater Pro. Luca Serena responded by highlighting Autodesk’s commitment to open data exchange through APIs and automated workflows, ensuring seamless integration with third-party platforms.
Francesca Zanello addressed inquiries about the accessibility of the iWG platform for non-modeling professionals. She emphasized that iWG was designed with simplicity and usability in mind. While InfoWorks WS Pro handles the complexity of simulations, the iWG interface presents results in a clear, actionable format, empowering teams to use the platform effectively regardless of their technical background.
The discussion also explored the practical benefits of digital twins during emergencies. Participants raised questions about incident response, prompting Zanelli to demonstrate how the integration of SCADA data and dynamic simulations allows utilities to respond to pipe bursts, pressure drops, or sudden demand surges with immediate, well-informed decisions.
Real-time solutions for a dynamic world
The webinar provided a clear vision of how digital twin technologies empower utilities to navigate the complexities of modern water management. By bridging long-term planning with real-time operations, InfoWorks WS Pro and iWG enable water managers to anticipate challenges, optimize resources, and deliver reliable services.
The speakers stressed the importance of “sense, predict, and act” — the foundational principles of a digital twin ecosystem. Real-time visibility into network performance, combined with advanced predictive capabilities, ensures that utilities can respond swiftly to emergencies, optimize pressure zones, and plan infrastructure upgrades with confidence.
The session concluded emphasizing that embracing digital twins is no longer optional for utilities facing growing pressure from climate variability, population growth, and aging infrastructure.