Derceto

Derceto, founded in 2003, emerged from the Beca Group in Auckland, New Zealand, as a specialized provider of software solutions for the water utility sector. In April 2005, the company secured $3 million in a Series A funding round from investors including New Zealand Growth Capital Partners and Endeavour. A significant milestone in Derceto's history was its acquisition by Ondeo Systems, a subsidiary of SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT, on September 22, 2014. This acquisition was a strategic move for SUEZ to enhance its portfolio of smart water management solutions and expand its international presence.

The company's core business revolves around minimizing the significant energy costs associated with water distribution, which can account for up to 40% of a water utility's operating expenses, with pumping alone representing up to 80% of that figure. Derceto serves local authorities and water utilities by providing software that optimizes their water production and distribution systems. The business model is centered on its proprietary software that integrates with a utility's existing SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system. By accessing real-time electricity tariffs and forecasting drinking water demand, the software determines the most cost-effective pumping strategy for the next 24 to 48 hours, updating its calculations every 30 minutes to ensure continuous economic efficiency.

Derceto's flagship product was the 'Aquadapt' software, a real-time energy optimization tool for treated water distribution. This system automates the water distribution process, scheduling pumps and valves to operate during periods of the lowest electricity costs while adhering to operational constraints like water turnover and storage requirements. A key benefit is the software's ability to reduce energy-related costs by up to 20%. Following the acquisition, Aquadapt was integrated into SUEZ's 'Aquadvanced' suite of solutions and is now known as AQUADVANCED™ENERGY. This enhanced offering helps utilities not only reduce costs and their carbon footprint but also improve water quality by increasing turnover and decreasing water age.

Keywords: water management software, energy cost optimization, water utility solutions, pump scheduling, SCADA integration, smart water networks, drinking water distribution, Aquadapt, Ondeo Systems, SUEZ, wastewater network management, real-time optimization, energy efficiency, water resource management, utility operational cost reduction, smart control systems, water demand forecasting, electricity tariff optimization, environmental services, asset performance