Intelligent and remote-controlled sluice gate that opens automatically based on real-time data, enabling adaptive water flow regulation. Designed to protect ecosystems and support local fisheries, it enhances both environmental and economic resilience
The innovation addresses poor water circulation, flooding, and ecological degradation in coastal wetlands. Without proper flow management, wetlands face anoxia, sedimentation, and biodiversity loss, especially under increasing climate pressure.
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The investment readiness of this innovation has been self-declared by the provider and has not been independently verified. For more details, please contact the innovator directly.
Smart Gate is a solar-powered, stainless steel sluice gate operated by remote control. It is connected to a network of multiparameter sensors installed at two monitoring stations: one in San Giovanni Pond and one at the river mouth. These sensors monitor water quality and hydrometric parameters in real time, including temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, turbidity, and redox potential. Based on predefined thresholds, the system automatically opens or closes to regulate water exchange between the brackish pond and the sea-influenced area. The goal is to improve water quality, prevent stagnation, and maintain ecological conditions suitable for biodiversity and fishery activities. The system checks sensor data hourly and includes a weekly maintenance cycle under normal conditions. The Smart Gate is designed for scalability and can be replicated across similar hydraulic structures, supporting climate adaptation strategies through better flood control and lagoon ecosystem management.
The Smart Gate is a solar-powered, automated sluice with a hydraulic motor that regulates water exchange between San Giovanni Pond—characterized by brackish, salt-influenced waters—and the river mouth. It operates based on environmental and hydrometric data collected every 30 minutes from two multiparameter sensor stations.
These stations are installed on reinforced concrete plinths resting on the muddy seabed to ensure stability in strong winds and unstable terrain. Each includes a data logger with SIM for transmission and a solar panel for power. In the pond, a second sensor unit is installed a few meters from the main one, serving as a control to validate measurements and provide backup in case of malfunction. On the opposite side of the pond, a weather station and two additional level sensors have been installed to monitor marine-side water inflows and weather conditions. While not directly connected to gate operation, they provide essential context on environmental dynamics influencing the entire ecosystem.
Sensor data is processed via a remote platform that activates the gate automatically when thresholds are exceeded (e.g., flood risk, low oxygen, high temperature). A weekly open/close cycle is performed under normal conditions. The gate can also be operated manually or remotely in case of extreme weather forecasts.
The pilot project included key cost components:
•the smart gate and hydraulic motor (~ 78,000 €)
•providing and installing 3 monitoring stations (~ 58,000 €)
•the birdwatching hut with integrated solar panels (~74,000 €)
•data management and IT control platform (~ 18,000 €)
•Technical support and designing the solution (~19,000 €)
These investments reflect the prototyping phase. The project identified strategies to reduce future costs, shorten implementation time, and improve performance.
The system is scalable and can be replicated across other gates using the same control infrastructure, supporting broader climate adaptation and lagoon management goals.
The gate is not effective during extreme flood events where the embankment is overtopped. It is designed for everyday conditions and adaptive management rather than as a primary barrier during storm surges. Moreover, as this is a prototype project, until similar solutions are implemented more broadly along the embankment, the ecological improvements will remain localized and limited in scale.
Intelligent and remote-controlled sluice gate that opens automatically based on real-time data, enabling adaptive water flow regulation. Designed to protect ecosystems and support local fisheries, it enhances both environmental and economic resilience
The innovation addresses poor water circulation, flooding, and ecological degradation in coastal wetlands. Without proper flow management, wetlands face anoxia, sedimentation, and biodiversity loss, especially under increasing climate pressure.
The business plan for this innovation has been evaluated by The Funding Company and it is considered to be ready for investment.
The main components of the system have been tested separately, and an initial integration exercise has been conducted.
Smart Gate is a solar-powered, stainless steel sluice gate operated by remote control. It is connected to a network of multiparameter sensors installed at two monitoring stations: one in San Giovanni Pond and one at the river mouth. These sensors monitor water quality and hydrometric parameters in real time, including temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, turbidity, and redox potential. Based on predefined thresholds, the system automatically opens or closes to regulate water exchange between the brackish pond and the sea-influenced area. The goal is to improve water quality, prevent stagnation, and maintain ecological conditions suitable for biodiversity and fishery activities. The system checks sensor data hourly and includes a weekly maintenance cycle under normal conditions. The Smart Gate is designed for scalability and can be replicated across similar hydraulic structures, supporting climate adaptation strategies through better flood control and lagoon ecosystem management.
The Smart Gate is a solar-powered, automated sluice with a hydraulic motor that regulates water exchange between San Giovanni Pond—characterized by brackish, salt-influenced waters—and the river mouth. It operates based on environmental and hydrometric data collected every 30 minutes from two multiparameter sensor stations.
These stations are installed on reinforced concrete plinths resting on the muddy seabed to ensure stability in strong winds and unstable terrain. Each includes a data logger with SIM for transmission and a solar panel for power. In the pond, a second sensor unit is installed a few meters from the main one, serving as a control to validate measurements and provide backup in case of malfunction. On the opposite side of the pond, a weather station and two additional level sensors have been installed to monitor marine-side water inflows and weather conditions. While not directly connected to gate operation, they provide essential context on environmental dynamics influencing the entire ecosystem.
Sensor data is processed via a remote platform that activates the gate automatically when thresholds are exceeded (e.g., flood risk, low oxygen, high temperature). A weekly open/close cycle is performed under normal conditions. The gate can also be operated manually or remotely in case of extreme weather forecasts.
The pilot project included key cost components:
•the smart gate and hydraulic motor (~ 78,000 €)
•providing and installing 3 monitoring stations (~ 58,000 €)
•the birdwatching hut with integrated solar panels (~74,000 €)
•data management and IT control platform (~ 18,000 €)
•Technical support and designing the solution (~19,000 €)
These investments reflect the prototyping phase. The project identified strategies to reduce future costs, shorten implementation time, and improve performance.
The system is scalable and can be replicated across other gates using the same control infrastructure, supporting broader climate adaptation and lagoon management goals.
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