The food and beverage industry is one of the most water- and energy-intensive industries in the world in addition to producing large volumes of waste. Therefore, freshwater supplies are in high demand. Despite significant progress in improving water use efficiency, the food and beverage sector needs to do more to minimise the use of freshwater during the processing of raw materials. However, current solutions for wastewater treatment in industries under a water–waste–energy nexus remain limited. The aim of the EU-funded AccelWater project is to change this pattern and improve freshwater consumption in the food and beverage industry by focusing on developing novel water reclaiming and reusing as well as artificial intelligence-enabled monitoring and control technologies.

This project aims to revolutionise water value chains in Mediterranean areas and beyond, by providing innovative nature-based water management solutions, which will close water loops and boost the agricultural and energy profile of these areas. AGENSO is responsible for the development of:

• an online monitoring and controlling platform for water loops
• an automated system for optimizing irrigation at agricultural sites based on open source technologies
• a serious game for disseminating the project results

OPTIMA will develop an environmentally friendly IPM framework for vineyards, apple orchards and carrots by providing a holistic integrated approach which includes all critical aspects related to integrated disease management, such as:

• novel bio-PPPs use
• disease prediction models
• spectral early disease detection systems
• precision spraying techniques

AGENSO is responsible for the development of an innovative DSS with optimized disease prediction models, using agro-climatic and biological algorithms; users’ testimonies; and geostatistical methods.