Revolutionary Drone System to Control, Monitor and Treat Green Algae Blooms with the Innovative DRONIC system

Combating algae is a complicated process which requires accurate measurements. To assist with this, a European consortium would like to present the Dronic Project, which will change algae treatment into a new technology that can simplify the process and bring it to a higher level. This will provide an effective treatment against algae and cyanobacteria in lakes and inland water reservoirs used for drinking water production.

Mr. Yousef, general manager of LG Sound (Netherlands), trusts this new technology. Therefore, the company has joined forces with the most prestigious European organisations and universities: ACSA France, CNRS France, SEPTENTRIO Belgium, VITO Belgium, UL Slovenia, Ministry of Agriculture Cyprus and Scottish Water UK. With a total investment of 3.2 million euros, the consortium will develop an innovative, environmental and cost-effective method to control harmful algae blooms in lakes, inland water reservoirs, seas and harbours. With this technology, two water drones are combined with water sensors, which localise hotspots of algae blooms and offer the required treatment with ultrasound frequencies.

The process starts with its ‘Master’ drone, which follows a programmed route to localise algae hotspots. In this process several water parameters are measured. If algae above certain concentrations are found, the drone will map the location and dimension of the bloom. This data is sent to the ‘Slave’ drone, which then navigates to the hotspot and treats the algae blooms on location with ultrasonic sound waves.

Thus, measurement of water quality, bathymetry and other related parameters are combined to directly locate and treat algae blooms.