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New global report charts the digital future of water management

Survey of 120+ water institutions highlights five technologies reshaping the sector and the risks that come with them.
 
A new international report offers timely insight into how digital technologies are changing the way the world manages water. Developed by IAHR in collaboration with DHI and other global research institutes and experts, the Global Water Institutes report on digital transformation ‘From data to water decisions – Accelerating the digital journey’ outlines how digitalisation is accelerating across the hydro-environmental sector and what needs to happen next.
 
At the heart of the report are five key digital accelerators that can transform water management systems across scales and geographies:
 

Remote sensing: 80% of respondents already use or plan to use remote sensing, which provides essential data for monitoring and modelling everything from flood risk to water quality, especially in data-scarce or hard-to-reach regions.
Data, sensors and Internet of Things: Enable real-time monitoring of water systems, supporting early warning, performance tracking and incident response in increasingly complex and climate-sensitive environments.
Advanced modelling: The most widely adopted technology among respondents, with over 90% using models for scenario testing, optimisation and planning under uncertainty.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning: Opening new possibilities for predictive maintenance, system forecasting and operational efficiency.
Digital twins: Representing the full integration of data, models and real-time systems, digital twins are seen as a powerful tool for both short-term operations and long-term strategic planning.

 
Opportunities and risks in the digital water transition
Drawing on survey input from 127 respondents in 41 countries, the report shows broad alignment on the benefits of digitalisation – better prediction, faster decision-making and more efficient resource use. However, it also draws attention to a consistent set of risks:
 

Data gaps: Inconsistent, inaccessible or poor-quality data remains a significant challenge.
Technical capacity: Many organisations cite a lack of in-house expertise to process and apply digital tools.
Cybersecurity and reliability: As systems become more connected, the exposure to cyber and infrastructure vulnerabilities increases.
Ethical and social implications: Automation, AI and the shift toward digital twins raise questions about transparency, accountability and inclusion.
Dependence on proprietary tools: Vendor lock-in is an emerging concern, especially around AI and platform integration.

 
A call for integration and collaboration
The report advocates for a more integrated approach to digitalisation, combining open standards, multidisciplinary training and collaborative frameworks. It highlights underused opportunities, such as leveraging open-source remote sensing data, cross-sensor data fusion and hybrid AI-physics modelling.
While the digital transition is already well underway, the report urges the water community not to see it as a purely technical journey. Governance, trust and human capacity must evolve in parallel. The report calls for greater collaboration across research, engineering, public agencies and the private sector to ensure digital innovation is both scalable and accountable. 
The key recommendations from the report are:
 

Increase use of open data and interoperable platforms
Promote hybrid modelling approaches that combine physics and machine learning
Support capacity development through training and institutional knowledge-sharing
Ensure governance and ethical frameworks keep pace with digital innovation

 
The report is published under IAHR’s leadership as part of the organisation’s commitment to advancing knowledge and innovation across the entire water cycle. It was introduced at the IAHR World Congress 2025 in Singapore, with DHI colleague Henrik Madsen, Research Manager, presenting the sections of the report on Earth Observation data and digital twins. 

New partnership between DHI and PlanBlue to strengthen ocean health and coastal resilience

DHI and PlanBlue announce a new strategic partnership, signed at the recent UN Ocean Conference in Nice. This collaboration brings together DHI’s global expertise in marine and coastal services with PlanBlue’s innovative ocean monitoring technologies, enabling new ways to monitor, protect and sustainably develop the world’s oceans.
PlanBlue, based in Germany, is a deep-tech company specialising in high-resolution seafloor imaging and smart data analytics. Their proprietary system provides detailed, geo-referenced visual data that support precise and repeatable ocean monitoring. Their value lies in translating seafloor imagery into actionable environmental metrics to support habitat classification, biodiversity assessment and long-term marine planning.
‘At a time when data-driven solutions are essential for addressing the ocean crisis, this partnership will enhance how we measure and manage underwater environments,’ said Ole Larsen, Director of Strategic Partnerships at DHI. 
Together, DHI and PlanBlue will accelerate the delivery of tools that support ecosystem protection, smarter infrastructure planning and transparent decision-making in marine projects.
‘Our partnership allows us to go deeper – literally and figuratively – in understanding the seabed and supporting better decisions for ocean health. We will strengthen biodiversity mapping, enhance our services for sustainable marine infrastructure and help our clients make informed decisions based on sound data and science,’ Ole Larsen said.
Technology for healthier oceans
The partnership will focus on making complex marine data more accessible, visual and usable for stakeholders – from government agencies and NGOs to ports, energy companies and coastal cities.
 
With PlanBlue’s advanced underwater imaging technology and DHI’s environmental modelling and advisory services, the joint solutions will enable:

Mapping and protecting marine habitats, including seagrass meadows, coral reefs and artificial coastal structures such as harbour walls, helping authorities plan marine protected areas and assess ecosystem health over time.
Minimising the ecological footprint of infrastructure projects through precise baseline data, improved impact assessments and ongoing monitoring.
Accelerating restoration initiatives, such as coral regrowth or habitat recovery following dredging, by using data to guide interventions and evaluate their effectiveness.
Supporting nature-inclusive design in offshore energy and coastal protection projects, ensuring developments are aligned with biodiversity goals.

These applications align closely with DHI’s commitment to advancing the UN Ocean Decade goals and building the knowledge base for more resilient and sustainable coasts.
 
‘This is about making the invisible visible – turning ocean data into actionable insights for healthier ecosystems,’ said Dr. Hannah Brocke, co-founder of PlanBlue. 
The partnership will roll out with joint projects in Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia with a focus on habitat mapping, coastal development and sustainable marine operations.

DHI study reveals how automated calibration enhances reliability of water modelling

Recent research demonstrates how automated calibration techniques are advancing hydrodynamic modelling, delivering faster, more reliable results to support informed decision-making in water management.
 
Hydrodynamic models are essential tools for simulating how water moves through environments such as rivers, estuaries and coastal areas. They are critical for decision-making in areas including flood protection, navigation, coastal development and environmental conservation. However, building reliable models requires inputting a wide range of parameters — many of which are difficult, costly or even impossible to measure directly across time and space.
‘Parameters like bed roughness or turbulence coefficients can vary greatly across landscapes and water bodies’, explains Clemens Cremer, DHI’s GenAI Lead and Expert in Data &amp; Modelling. ‘It is not feasible, be it economically or for technical reasons, to measure all of them, their spatial resolution or temporal variability. Calibration allows us to fine-tune the models by adjusting these parameters in a physically reasonable range until the outputs align with observed data, such as water levels or flow speeds.’
The limits of manual calibrationTraditionally, this calibration has relied on manual trial-and-error by experienced modellers. While effective, it is time-consuming, can be subjective and increasingly impractical as models become more complex. For example, calibrating a model with 11 different roughness zones, as in DHI’s Elbe River case study, means tracking thousands of possible parameter combinations and their interactions.
This is where automatic model calibration is making a breakthrough.
DHI’s study shows that automated calibration techniques can systematically explore vast combinations of parameters, identifying the optimal settings to produce accurate, consistent model predictions. These methods can shift the focus of the modeller from tedious assessment of model results and adjustment of parameters for each model-run to more thorough thought about right metrics (what defines a ‘good’ model for a specific purpose) prior to starting the calibration. As an added benefit, autocalibration might obtain solutions human experts might miss — especially in high-dimensional parameter spaces.
Efficiency, flexibility and smarter insightsClemens adds, ‘The benefits of automated calibration extend beyond just efficiency. Automated calibration can work with diverse data sources, from traditional water level gauges to satellite measurements, making it possible to create accurate models even in regions with limited in-situ monitoring infrastructure. 
‘They can also determine parameter sensitivity and provide insights into tradeoffs when multiple objectives (e.g. optimising for error in space or in time) are pursued. This makes it easier to align model outputs with client goals and regulatory standards. That’s a game changer for decision-makers in water environments.’
 
Join the conversation at IAHR 2025Clemens Cremer will be presenting his research at the IAHR World Congress 2025, where DHI's representatives will be available to share insights, discuss ongoing projects and highlight recent technological developments. Find us at the Singapore EXPO, Hall 2A, Booth C4.
 
Follow DHI’s LinkedIn page for updates and coverage from the event.

DHI at IAHR 2025: Advancing research, development and innovation for a sustainable water future

From 23 to 27 June 2025, DHI will join global experts, researchers and practitioners at the 41st IAHR World Congress in Singapore. Organised by the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research, this year’s congress will explore the theme ‘Innovative water engineering for sustainable development’.
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The event will focus on the evolving challenges at the intersection of water resources management and climate change adaptation, including the links between water, energy, food security and nature. As a gold sponsor, DHI will contribute to the discussions through a series of presentations, sessions and high-level panels that reflect the company’s focus on making an impact – by bringing research, development, innovation and technology together to address real-world water and environmental challenges.
Key contributions at IAHRDHI’s contributions at IAHR 2025 will highlight the role of applied research and digital tools in helping cities and industries adapt to climate impacts, protect ecosystems and improve water management practices. Representatives from DHI will present in both technical and strategic forums, contributing perspectives on digital innovation, stakeholder engagement and integrated modelling approaches.
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Presentations include:

Comparing optimisation methodologies for calibration of 2D/3D hydrodynamic models | Speaker: Clemens Cremer, Expert, Data &amp; Modelling and GenAI Lead, Software Products
A flexible subgrid method for fast flood simulations using shallow water equations with enhanced bathymetry resolution | Speaker: Max Bitsch, Ph.D. Student, Software Products
Integrated air and water phase modelling of hydrogen sulphide transport in sewer systems | Speaker: Line Karin Mortensen, Scientific Software Developer, Software Products
Robust sensor data validation with deep learning: performance analysis with synthetic anomalies | Speaker: Rocco Palmitessa, Senior Data &amp; Modelling Engineer, Software Products
Local stakeholder engagement in sustainable management of marine habitats using satellite technology – an example from Malaysia | Speaker: Malinda Auluck, Senior Environmental Consultant, Marine &amp; Coastal
Informing adaptive development in sensitive coastal habitats using environmental data and hydrodynamic modelling | Speaker: Thue Geil, Portfolio Lead, Marine &amp; Coastal
Modelling of sediment clump in open water sediment disposal | Speaker: Jenn Wei Er, Head of Projects, Marine &amp; Coastal&nbsp;

In addition, DHI will contribute to a report on the digital transformation of the water sector and present its findings during a special session at IAHR.&nbsp;Stefan Szylkarski, Executive Vice President for Water in Cities at DHI, will also participate in a high-level panel discussion on flood-resilient cities.
Stefan Szylkarski states:&nbsp;‘DHI focuses on bridging the gap between research into practical solutions that deliver real-world impact. Our work spans sustainable water management, ecosystem protection and climate adaptation, with an emphasis on applying scientific insights where they make the most difference. Flood-resilient cities are one key example, where we integrate modelling, data and technology to help urban areas mitigate and adapt to extreme weather events. IAHR 2025 provides a valuable opportunity to share our approach and exchange knowledge with others addressing similar challenges.’
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Join the conversation at IAHR 2025DHI will be present at Singapore EXPO, Hall 2A, Booth C4 throughout the congress, where representatives will be available to share insights, discuss ongoing projects and highlight recent technological developments. Follow DHI’s LinkedIn page for updates and coverage from the event.

The agreement between DHI and ISA was formalised at the UN Ocean Conference 2025 by DHI’s CEO, Mette Vestergaard, and ISA’s Secretary-General, Leticia Carvalho.

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) and DHI have entered a partnership to jointly promote evidence-based decision-making, regional environmental planning and monitoring and capacity development in support of the protection of the marine environment.&nbsp;
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The International Seabed Authority (ISA) and DHI are pleased to announce the signing of a Letter of Cooperation (LoC) to enhance scientific cooperation and environmental management. The agreement was signed at the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference held in Nice, France, by Leticia Carvalho, Secretary-General of the ISA, and Mette Vestergaard, Chief Executive Officer of DHI.
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The LoC formalises a strategic partnership that will support the ISA’s mandate under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to ensure the sustainable and responsible management of mineral resources beyond national jurisdiction. Through this collaboration, ISA and DHI will jointly promote evidence-based decision-making, regional environmental planning and monitoring and capacity development in support of the protection of the marine environment.
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Mette Vestergaard stated, ‘The international seabed area is of vital importance to us all. With this partnership agreement, we are one step further in ensuring that decisions about the seabed are guided by science and based on knowledge about the impact on the environment.’
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Leticia Carvalho welcomed the collaboration, saying, ‘The ISA is constantly seeking to expand both national and international knowledge of the deep sea, our common heritage, through sound data and to expand capacities for both regional environmental planning and global ocean management. Our collaboration with DHI is an important step in these efforts.’
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Under the terms of the LoC, DHI will support the analysis of deep-sea environmental data collected by the ISA over the past three decades. The collaboration will include advisory services and training programmes designed to strengthen the technical and scientific capacity of the ISA’s Member States, particularly developing countries, and to advance regional environmental planning initiatives in the international seabed area.
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Danish ocean expertise in global collaborationDenmark has long been recognised for its leadership in marine research, environmental technology and sustainable water management. As an acknowledged Research and Technology Organisation (RTO), DHI combines advanced modelling, scientific tools and field expertise to transform research into practical solutions, from laboratory to the open ocean.
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The ISA and DHI have already worked together on capacity building, the development of threshold values and regional environmental planning. This new agreement builds on that foundation and creates new opportunities to support ISA’s work in ensuring environmental stewardship and the equitable use of deep-sea resources.
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Shared vision for the ocean’s futureThe ISA was established by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and is mandated to regulate deep-seabed mineral activities beyond national jurisdiction – an area that covers more than fifty per cent of the Earth’s surface. Its dual responsibility is to ensure that the resources of the deep seabed benefit all of humanity, while protecting the marine environment for future generations.
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The partnership between ISA and DHI reinforces their shared commitment to informed, transparent and responsible ocean governance, grounded in the best available science.

Safeguarding Brunei’s marine environment: DHI co-hosts key workshop on sustainable coastal development

As Brunei Darussalam continues to develop its coastal areas, protecting marine environments remains a national priority. In line with Brunei Vision 2035 and the nation’s Environmental Protection and Management Act, DHI Brunei co-organised a one-day workshop on Sustainable Environmental Planning for Coastal and Marine Development with the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation (JASTRe).
The workshop brought together around 60 participants from government agencies and the private sector, fostering cross-sector collaboration. It provided valuable insights into best practices, current challenges and innovative strategies for managing Brunei’s marine resources sustainably.
Guest of honour Haji Shaharuddin Khairul bin Haji Anuar, deputy permanent secretary (Infrastructure, Housing and Professional) at Brunei’s Ministry of Development, highlighted the nation’s growing focus on environmental protection. He stressed the need for sustainable planning to safeguard Brunei’s marine resources for future generations, aligning with national goals and addressing global environmental challenges.
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DHI’s expertise at the forefront of coastal planningDHI experts led several key sessions, drawing on their extensive experience from both regional and international coastal and marine projects:
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Liaw Lin Ji, Head of Environmental Solutions for DHI Brunei and Malaysia, delivered the keynote address. She emphasised the role of science-based planning in building climate resilience and achieving Brunei Vision 2035, as well as United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11, 13 and 14.&nbsp;
Jack Lee Vun Zac, DHI Malaysia country manager and coastal engineer, presented on sustainable shoreline management and coastal morphology in development planning
Dr. Claus Pedersen, regional technical director, spoke on dredging practices and the use of numerical tools to assess impacts at river mouths and along shorelines
Dr. Robert Scott Nichols, senior environmental consultant, shared strategies for responsible marine aquaculture, including monitoring systems that support water quality and regulatory compliance

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Collaborating for resilient coastal developmentThe workshop served as a crucial platform for collaboration among developers, regulators and environmental professionals. Discussions focused on shoreline protection, dredging activities and marine aquaculture – key areas essential to Brunei’s coastal resilience and environmental sustainability.
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‘Brunei’s coastal areas are under increasing pressure from development and climate change’, says Liaw Lin Ji. ‘Addressing these challenges requires integrated, science-based planning to ensure long-term resilience and sustainability.'
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DHI remains committed to supporting Brunei with expert-driven, data-based solutions for sustainable marine and coastal development.

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