WaveFlow System Solutions 4.X

ControlFlow
Intelligent control of flow machines

Real-time energy consumption optimisation for pumps, compressors and fans. A combination of machine learning (ML) algorithms and classical control in a single system — reduced energy use, same results, measurable return on investment.

5–35%Electrical energy savings
1–2hSystem calibration time
< 24 mo.Typical return on investment (ROI)
5 sectorsWater · Industry · HVAC · Wastewater · Food

System architecture

PID meets the target.
ML minimises the cost.

ControlFlow combines two proven technologies into a single synergistic control system. The classical PID controller delivers precise maintenance of process parameters, while the machine learning model minimises electrical energy consumption in real time.

The result is an installation that delivers the required flow or pressure — and does so at the lowest physically possible cost, hour after hour, all year round.

Sensor

Measurement layer

Reading real operating parameters from existing infrastructure (pressure, flow, power). PLC/SCADA integration without hardware replacement.

ML Model

ML model – operating point optimisation

Searches the configuration space and selects the combination that minimises power draw while satisfying process constraints.

PID control

PID controller

Maintains the required flow or pressure setpoint with full precision and disturbance rejection. Process continuity is always the priority.

Analytics

Analytics and reporting layer

Real-time savings monitoring, ESG/CO₂ reports, installation operating history, hourly tariff tracking.

ControlFlow system diagram – ML+PID architecture

Key features

Everything a modern
installation needs

ControlFlow is a complete control ecosystem — from analysing the current operating point, through optimising a single machine, to managing a pump cascade with millisecond precision.

Installation analysis

Current installation analysis

Automated assessment of control efficiency. Visualisation of the Q-H and η(Q) curve, identification of distance from BEP (Best Efficiency Point), measurement of energy losses.

Single pump optimisation

Single pump optimisation

Two setpoint modes: constant flow Q or constant pressure H. ML shifts the operating point closer to BEP and holds it there regardless of network changes.

Cascade pump control

Cascade pump control

Intelligent selection of the number of active pumps. The ML algorithm searches all combinations and selects the cheapest one that satisfies the hydraulic target.

Daily profile and tariffs

Daily profile and hourly tariffs

The system accounts for the real sector-specific demand profile and variable energy prices throughout the day. Greater savings during peak tariff hours.

ROI calculator

ROI Calculator

Comparison of energy costs without and with ControlFlow over a 5-year horizon. Automatic calculation of the breakeven point, monthly and annual savings.

ESG / CO2 reporting

ESG / CO₂ Reporting

Automatic conversion of saved energy into CO₂ reduction (0.76 kgCO₂/kWh). Data ready for ESG, CSRD and environmental audit reporting.

ControlFlow system diagram – ML+PID architecture

Dedicated sectors

One system,
five industries

ControlFlow is tailored to the specifications of different industrial sectors — predefined daily profiles and parameter ranges correspond to real installations in each industry.

Water utilities Water utilities

Treatment plants, pumping stations, distribution networks. Continuous 24/7 operation with daily demand peaks.

Industry Industry

Cooling systems, process circuits, CIP. Shift work, high pressures, variable loads.

HVAC HVAC

Air conditioning, ventilation, heating systems in office buildings and industrial facilities. Midday peak, night minimum.

Wastewater Wastewater

Municipal sewage pumping stations, stormwater lift stations. Two daily peaks, night minimum.

Food & Beverage Food & Beverage

Production lines, cold storage, CIP systems, media transport — strict sanitary requirements.

Value for the client

Measurable results.
Real return on investment.

ControlFlow generates energy savings that can be precisely calculated before deployment. Below are typical results for a 4 × 30 kW pump installation in the water utility sector.

ParameterWithout ControlFlowWith ControlFlow
Average efficiency η61%79%
Average installation power78.4 kW60.1 kW
Energy cost / month€8,820€6,740
Energy cost / year€105,840€80,920
Annual savings≈ €24,920
Efficiency η+18 pp
Power draw reduction−23%
Energy cost reduction−24%
~€25kPER YEAR Annual savings

At current electricity prices

~16MONTHS Payback period (ROI)

Typical payback period after deployment

1–2hTIME System calibration

No production downtime required

ML+PIDARCHITECTURE Hybrid control

PID reliability + ML intelligence

81 t CO₂ / year
🌱 CO₂ emission reduction

Saved electrical energy directly translates into a reduced carbon footprint. Data ready for ESG, CSRD and environmental audit reporting.

Technical specification

Industrial-grade
technology

A system designed for demanding industrial environments — deterministic, secure and easy to integrate with existing control infrastructure.

Algorithms & control

ML model (optimisation) – searches the pump regulation space, minimises the objective function (power × tariff price), online updates.

PID controller – precise maintenance of the pressure or flow setpoint, VFD control, disturbance rejection.

Cascading – dynamic pump system control based on the current operating point and hydraulic constraints.

Hourly tariffs – weighted optimisation incorporating variable energy prices.

Integration & deployment

Interfaces – PLC (Modbus RTU/TCP), SCADA, BMS, optionally standalone on edge computing.

Calibration – 1–2 hours for a typical installation. Parameterisation from the nameplate or documentation.

Input modes – On/Off, fixed speed, VFD+PID. The system adapts to existing infrastructure.

Dashboard – web interface EN/PL, PDF reports, historical data export.

Physical parameters

Flow Q – wide capacity range adapted to the specifics of the installation and sector.

Pressure H – full support for low- and high-pressure installations with automatic unit conversion.

Pump power – calculated from real operating parameters, verified against technical documentation.

Efficiency η – the system always drives operation towards the optimal BEP, minimising energy losses.

Analytics & reporting

Savings – real time: daily, monthly, annual in currency and kWh.

CO₂ emissions – automatic calculation [t CO₂/year], ESG export.

ROI analysis – 5-year chart, automatic breakeven point, costs vs. savings.

Daily profile – demand history, hourly tariffs, savings windows.

Deployments and results

ControlFlow in practice —
municipal pumping station in Kraków

A real-world implementation of the optimisation system on a four-pump setup with a combined power of 740 kW. Results measured operationally, without replacing any equipment.

Water management

Cascade optimisation of four pumps at a municipal pumping station

The pumping station operates a four-pump system with a combined power of 740 kW, working in pairs on dedicated pipelines. Before implementation, control was based on a classic PID controller with cascaded pump activation depending on the sump level. The system worked correctly, but did not fully exploit the potential of the installed VSD drives.

ControlFlow took over real-time control, simultaneously accounting for sump level, flow distribution across pumps, pipeline pressure and forecast inflow. The system determines the optimal load for each pump and the appropriate drive frequencies — data goes directly to SCADA and is read by the PLC controllers. All technological constraints were preserved.

Data flow
Level / pressure sensors ML model + PID SCADA / PLC VSD drives – optimal operation
Operational results
  • ✔ Annual average energy savings of 12%
  • ✔ Full utilisation of the installed VSD drive potential
  • ✔ All technological constraints preserved
  • ✔ Mixed operation mode available
740 kW
Combined system power
12%
Energy savings / year
4
Pumps in the system
£0
Infrastructure replacement
Before implementation
A classic PID controller activated pumps in cascade depending on the sump level. VSD drives were installed, but their energy potential was not fully utilised — the system did not optimise load distribution across pumps.
After ControlFlow implementation
The system analyses sump level, pressures, flow rates and inflow forecast in real time — and determines the optimal workload distribution across pumps. VSD drives operate exactly where they are most energy-efficient.

Ready to implement?

See how much your installation
can save

The interactive ControlFlow calculator lets you calculate potential savings, implementation cost and return on investment for your specific installation in just 5 minutes.

System typePumps · Compressors · Fans
Implementation time1–5 business days
Energy savings5–35%

More information is available on desktop or tablet.

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