Riverkin Receives 1.39 Million Euros for Real-Time Water Monitoring

(CONNECT) The cleantech startup Riverkin is receiving a grant of 1.39 million euros from Innosuisse, the Swiss Agency for Innovation Promotion. According to a press release from Venture Kick , the funds will go toward an innovation project with a total budget of 1.97 million euros, through which the company intends to further develop and validate its technology for use in the hydropower sector.

Riverkin develops what are known as water data ecosystems—sensor networks with a data platform for real-time monitoring of freshwater. The sensors measure parameters such as water temperature, water level, turbidity, sediment, and discharge. The measurement data is continuously processed automatically and is intended to help identify potential risks early on and implement appropriate countermeasures.

In the hydropower sector, the technology is intended to provide insights, in particular, into water movements and the dynamics of fine sediments. Such sediments can damage turbines and contribute to the silting up of reservoirs. The insights gained from the collected data are intended to help operators protect their infrastructure, maintain storage capacity, and comply with regulatory requirements.

Riverkin, a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) founded by Jessica Droujko, has, according to the company, deployed its sensor technology in 22 operations across 11 countries to date. ce/as