Bringing sensor data together

In the Office for Environment and Energy (AUE) of the Canton of Basel-City, a vast amount of different data comes together. Trivadis developed a platform that on the one hand standardizes and analyzes this data and on the other hand translates it and visualizes it in a way that is easy for the public to understand.

In short

CHALLENGE

Break down data silos and translate the data records into a uniform language.

SOLUTION

Microsoft Azure based solution that visualises the data on a central dashboard.

BENEFIT

All data are clearly arranged in one place, prepared in an understandable way and easily accessible.

Our solution

The Office for Environment and Energy (AUE) of the canton of Basel-Stadt supports both the economy and the population in their efforts for environmentally friendly development. Water conservation, waste water disposal, waste management, contaminated site remediation, economical use of energy and noise protection are the core tasks of the AUE. All of these departments have vast quantities of data that are recorded with various sensors and stored in a variety of formats. Trivadis developed an IoT dashboard based on a central data platform on which all sensor data are standardised and analysed centrally.

Challenge: Breaking up data silos

The data silos were created by different departments and made it impossible to have a holistic, comprehensive view of the data on groundwater, noise protection and monitoring of the river Rhine. The evaluation and analysis of the data was proportionately complex. In addition, the data was also to be made available for access and further processing by the public as part of the Open Government Data Initiative, which was made significantly more difficult by the large number of data sources and the diversity of data formats.

In a pilot project, the AUE ultimately wanted to create a central platform in collaboration with Trivadis, which pools together all environmental data for groundwater, noise protection and laboratory data from monitoring the Rhine. At the same time, the raw data had to be “intelligent” so that it can be quickly understood by everyone after translation and visualisation.

The pilot project with Trivadis showed us what a modern IoT platform can do and how it simplifies our daily work. New applications and sensors can be integrated at any time. All of the measured values are centralised and available across departments.

Matthias Nabholz, Head of the Office for Environment and Energy

Uniform data formats support digitalisation of administration

The data formats consisted of Excel files, HTML files or text formats, and in some cases even data by analogue transmission. The challenge was to show that the disparate data sources, especially sensors, but also others, can be tapped and the transmitted datasets translated into a uniform language.

To centralise the data on one platform, the necessary interfaces were programmed, including an Open Government interface, which will provide more transparency to the outside world. Trivadis used its Trivadis IoT Gateway, which is a kind of framework for the collection, integration, evaluation and analysis of sensor data. The result was a scalable, standardised and extremely powerful data platform that can continuously collect the large amounts of sensor data and process it in real time.

Central IoT dashboard provides an overview

The evaluations and analyses were presented on a clear dashboard according to specified KPIs. The status of the sensors could also be monitored via the dashboard. Trivadis supported the AUE every step of the way in the project – from planning through coordination to practical implementation.

ABOUT THE OFFICE FOR ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY (AUE)

Water conservation, waste water disposal, waste management, contaminated site remediation, economical use of energy and noise protection are the core tasks of the AUE. Approximately 75 employees support both the economy and the population in their efforts for environmentally friendly development.

Technologies Used

Trivadis IoT Gate
Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Power BI