Shush Money: How Hydronauten's Silent Pumps Save Millions in Energy Costs – We talk IoT #68

In this episode, we conclude our special series on the Advanced Electronics Challenge with the winners themselves: Johannes Büker, CEO, and Paul Werner, CTO of Hydronauten GmbH. Their innovative solution addresses a significant hidden energy drain – pumps consume approximately 30% of the EU's electricity. Hydronauten addresses two critical challenges simultaneously: reducing harmful vibrations that damage infrastructure and residents' quality of life while dramatically improving energy efficiency. Their "quiet hydro technology" applies noise-cancelling principles to pump systems, enabling 20-30% energy savings and opening new possibilities for grid stabilisation. Johannes and Paul explain how their technology transforms existing pump installations into smart, efficient systems that can help stabilise renewable energy grids. The conversation reveals how pump-based grid stabilisation could have prevented recent power outages in Spain and Portugal and why this overlooked technology represents a crucial piece of the renewable energy puzzle. #pumptechnology #energyefficiency #gridstability #renewableenergy #iot #wetalkiot #noisecancelling #smartgrid   Summary of this week's episode: 02:15 Meet Hydronauten: From University Research to Commercial Success 04:30 The Dual Problem: Vibrations and Energy Waste in Pump Systems 06:45 How Noise-Cancelling Technology Works in Hydraulic Systems 09:20 Advanced Electronics Challenge: Miniaturising Signal Processing 12:10 AI and Data Analytics: Optimising Pump Performance 15:30 Compatibility with Existing Infrastructure: Plug-and-Play Solutions 17:45 Grid Stabilisation: Using Pumps to Balance Renewable Energy 21:30 Real-World Impact: Wastewater Treatment Success Story 24:15 The Spain-Portugal Grid Crisis: How Pumps Could Have Helped 26:40 Predictive Maintenance and Condition Monitoring Capabilities   Show notes: Johannes Büker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-johannes-b%C3%BCker-9800b9126/ Paul Werner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-werner-b163162b1/ Hydronauten: https://hydronauten.de/ Advanced Electronics Challenge 2025: https://my.avnet.com/silica/resources/training-and-events/event/baystartup-challenge-advanced-electronics-2025/   Previous Advanced Electronics Challenge episodes: CiX Greentech (Water Purification): https://we-talk-iot.podbean.eu/e/diamonds-are-forever-pfas-not-how-cix-greentech-purifies-water-%e2%80%93-we-talk-iot-66/ Belle Health (Women's Health Technology): https://we-talk-iot.podbean.eu/e/cycle-breakers-how-belle-healths-smart-ring-is-transforming-womens-health-%e2%80%93-we-talk-iot-67/ Listen to the "We Talk IoT "Soundtrack on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05MOV4OV2MH2in2txsAGtG?si=ad08112cb8d443f4 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-NvQ6VJYtE&list=PLLqgVFfZhDRVYmpEqbgajzDvGL4kACRDp   About Avnet Silica: This podcast is brought to you by Avnet Silica—the Engineers of Evolution. You can connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/silica-an-avnet-company/. Or find us at www.avnet-silica.com.