Finder OPTA for intelligent water management and control

How the Finder OPTA programmable logic relay transformed the management of water gates into a predictive and optimized system, even in critical environmental conditions

In the landscape of industrial automation, the convergence of traditional PLC robustness and IoT agility is defining new standards of efficiency. A prime example is the application of Finder OPTA within the system managed by the Acque Risorgive Land Reclamation Consortium, a public body coordinating public interventions and private activities in the fields of hydraulic defense and irrigation, overseeing a territory of 100,000 hectares across the provinces of Padua, Venice, and Treviso.

A challenge between flexibility and reliability
Managing water sluice gates within a natural oasis requires meticulous control and uncommon environmental resistance. As highlighted by Evomatic Srl, the project’s system integrator, the goal was to identify a reliable partner capable of offering excellent flexibility without compromising industrial-grade ruggedness. OPTA, Finder’s Programmable Logic Relay (PLR), was selected specifically for its hybrid nature: combining the security and reliability of a PLC with the advanced connectivity of an IoT device.

The core of the solution lies in OPTA’s ability to be programmed according to the IEC 61131-3 standard. In this application, it enabled the implementation of complex timing and regulation logic despite the compact footprint of a smart relay.

Specifically, the Finder OPTA programmable logic relay operates as an intelligent gateway:

It collects data from sensors deployed throughout the environment.

It transfers information via Modbus TCP protocol to local HMI panels.

It eliminates the need for additional hardware, reducing the complexity of the electrical panel.

Despite significant thermal fluctuations and critical environmental conditions, the device has demonstrated consistent reliability, ensuring service continuity and precise command execution thanks to extremely fast cycle times.

Static control and predictive management
Integration with the IoT Cloud has radically transformed the Consortium's operations. Management, previously static, has become predictive and optimized. Today, operators can monitor and adjust water levels remotely, reacting in real-time to weather events to preserve the oasis ecosystem and improve phytodepuration processes.

This case study illustrates how the use of advanced technology can drive the transition toward intelligent ecosystem control, where user-friendly operation meets controlled management and a reduction in hydraulic risk, providing significant benefits for the entire region.

To learn more about Finder OPTA, visit the dedicated website opta.findernet.com.