Lisburn-based technology start-up, StormHarvester, has developed a system to monitor and control water and wastewater levels within drainage networks. The green technology, Smart Control System, reduces the volume of mains water required by new buildings.
It also decreases the volume of sewage that overflows from drainage networks into rivers, lakes and the sea by using rainfall forecasts to regulate stormwater and wastewater networks. The system is being installed in major developments across Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
Brian Moloney (pictured left), founder of StormHarvester, said: “Sewage overflow is becoming an increasing issue in urban areas, due to outdated sewerage networks. Our new product takes core principles and expertise in water forecast drainage control and applies this to regulate entire urban sewage networks effectively.
“Our cloud-based system is designed to make drainage systems ‘smart’, allowing users to proactively take preventive action to decrease flooding and damage. This would not have been possible without Invest NI’s financial support, expert advice and guidance to bring the product to market. The development of this system has allowed us to strengthen our product portfolio and skillset, while also helping to reduce environmental pollution.”
Invest NI has offered the company £121,000 of assistance towards R&D, as well as trade support to visit new markets.
The system is being used by Hillsborough Castle and Gardens and a landmark property on London’s Grosvenor Square. As well as individual establishments, the company is now working directly with water utilities around the UK and Europe to reduce network overflows and protect the environment.
Dr Vicky Kell (pictured right), Invest NI’s Director of Innovation, Research and Development, said: “StormHarvester has created an innovative system that has the potential to significantly reduce the impact of flooding and sewage leakage on the environment. This recent R&D investment has enabled the company to gain greater insights into how the growing population and urbanisation are impacting climate change and, hence, flooding. We have supported the company since it participated in our Propel programme and we are pleased to continually help this highly ambitious local company achieve its growth potential.”
StormHarvester initially participated in Invest NI’s Propel Pre-Accelerator programme in 2016, which helps early-stage entrepreneurs using innovative and disruptive technologies to build their business and achieve international success.
The company has also availed of £300,000 investment from TechStart equity funding, part of Invest NI’s Access to Finance suite of debt and equity funds. TechStartNI and Invest NI’s R&D support are part financed by the European Regional Development Fund under the EU Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme 2014–2020.
