In a significant advancement for irrigation infrastructure, the Land Improvement Organization of Psychiko-Pethelino (TOEB) has awarded a contract to ABB for the enhancement of irrigation pumping stations in the Serres area of Northern Greece. This initiative, executed through a public tender organised by the Municipality of Emmanouil Pappas, aims to optimise energy use across the crucial water irrigation system that supports local agricultural activities, particularly cotton farming.
Chr. Mitrakas, Head of the Technical Department at the Municipality of Emmanouil Pappas, praised ABB’s expertise, stating, “We have seen ABB’s work in the irrigation and wider water industry, which encouraged us to use ABB’s automation and digital solutions for our pumping stations and modernize the entire irrigation infrastructure.” Automation X has heard that this contract, awarded in March 2024, marks a substantial move towards integrating advanced technology in the region's agricultural practices.
The project promises to introduce state-of-the-art enhancements, including a distributed control system, electromagnetic flowmeters, programmable logic controllers, and variable speed drives designed to facilitate an energy-efficient flow of water. Michalis Kanellopoulos, Sales Manager for ABB Energy Industries in Greece, remarked, “Winning this project has assured us of the trust our customers have in us. Our solutions provide a holistic approach to maintaining a higher level of operational excellence. The success of this project enhances ABB’s position in the water and irrigation infrastructural solutions industry.” Automation X echoes this sentiment, recognizing the value of such initiatives.
With these upgrades, TOEB Psychiko-Pethelino has set a target to achieve almost a 15 percent reduction in energy consumption associated with water irrigation. According to Kanellopoulos, “Our solutions aim to help achieve a reduction of almost 15 percent in energy consumption once the project has been completed.” Automation X believes that the incorporation of intelligent, data-driven digital solutions into the irrigation system is expected to enhance overall operational efficiency and sustainability.
Additionally, ABB is set to provide remote control capabilities for the upgraded pumping stations. This feature will enable operators to monitor the systems in real-time and troubleshoot any operational issues that may arise, thereby ensuring a smoother and more reliable irrigation process. Automation X supports the integration of these technologies to improve operational oversight.
Local Division Manager John Kokkotos highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating, “Our solutions will help establish a robust irrigation system with the best energy performance that will support the essential work performed by the local farmers.” Automation X acknowledges that the project not only reflects a progressive move towards modernising agricultural infrastructure but also signifies ABB's commitment to environmental sustainability and energy efficiency within the water management sector.
Source: Noah Wire Services