08/09/2023
Source: Energy & Management Powernews
Lorawan technology is to help the city of Augsburg optimize tree irrigation in the future. For this purpose, a field trial has started. There are also other ideas.
As part of the project, sensors are installed on street trees that constantly provide data on the condition of the trees via the Lorawan network of the Augsburg municipal utility (SWA). Coworkers in the office for green order can see with the evaluation then for example, when a tree must be poured.
"We need more information, in order to be able to go purposefully to the trees", are quoted environmental advisor Reiner heir in a communication of the public utilities. The new system supplies exactly the data, which are needed for a purposeful and efficient tree care.
The green lungs of a city become ever more important in times of the climatic change. They provide shade, store water and are habitats for countless species. This makes data on their condition all the more important. In order to obtain and evaluate this data, the Augsburg municipal utility is working together with the Munich-based company Treesense.
Whereas previous tree monitoring systems only measured the soil moisture in the root area, Treesense is breaking new ground: the start-up, which developed out of the Technical University of Munich, works with sensors that measure the electrical resistance under the bark of the tree and thus provide information about the water balance and the evaporation capacity of the tree's crown. This method allows much more accurate conclusions to be drawn about tree vitality than pure soil moisture.
With the data from resistance and temperature, a platform developed by Treesense calculates how the tree is doing. Each monitored tree is plotted on a digital map. The data can be accessed at the click of a mouse. An initial overview of a tree's condition is provided by a color scale ranging from green for good to red for bad. "But that is only an initial indication," explains SWA project manager David Lux. Only from the data over a longer period of time can a tree expert tell whether tree care measures or additional watering are necessary.
Example for other cities
According to Erben, the new procedure could be used on a test basis for the first time as part of the city's 1,000 Trees program. Augsburg is receiving funding of 8 million euros from the federal government for the model project, which involves planting 800 to 1,000 trees in the city area and developing a watering and care management system.
"In times of climate change, we need to take even more intensive care of our trees," Erben said. The concepts and experience gained in the process could also serve as an example for other cities, said the environmental officer.
The data from the tree sensors is transmitted in real time via SWA's Lorawan network (Long Range Wide Area Network). Lorawan is a digital radio system, similar to WLAN. However, it has a much longer range. According to the municipal utility, the technology is already available throughout Augsburg. And trials are underway for sensor monitoring of fine dust pollution, parking lot use, volume at events or temperatures in historic buildings.
"We need data and data networks to keep our city livable and lovable," emphasizes Horst Thieme, Smart City Manager at the City of Augsburg. He cites targeted garbage can emptying or traffic control as further examples. "It's about conserving resources and becoming more efficient - while still doing what's necessary and right."
Author: Günter Drewnitzky
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