Ayesa Digital seeks to enhance flood forecasting through quantum computing

The HydroIA project incorporates key technologies such as AI, advanced IoT- and satellite-based sensing, and cloud-edge architecture.

The system provides public authorities and relevant stakeholders with visual and operational information to support decision-making in critical situations.

Ayesa Digital is leading the HydroIA project, an initiative aimed at forecasting floods and minimising their impact. Together with a consortium comprising several companies and research organisations, the company is developing an advanced solution capable of analysing real-time data and predicting how river basins will evolve.

The project aims to integrate a range of key technologies, including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, advanced IoT- and satellite-based sensing, and cloud-edge architectures. A central component of the solution is the development of a digital twin of river basins, combining physical models with both classical and quantum AI models. This will make it possible to simulate different scenarios, forecast floods with high spatial and temporal accuracy, and quantify the uncertainty associated with predictions. The system will provide public authorities and relevant stakeholders with visual and operational information, helping them make informed decisions in critical situations.

Technological development

Ayesa Digital plays a central role in the project, leading its technological development. The initiative has a budget of €2.7 million, funded by the Government of Spain and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and a 33-month implementation period. The company’s involvement spans all key stages, from the initial system definition through to final validation, with Ayesa Digital acting as the solution lead.

In the early stages, the company contributes to the state-of-the-art analysis and requirements definition, ensuring that the development is aligned with the real-world challenges of hydrological risk management. From a technical perspective, it leads the design and implementation of the digital platform, including the development of the data space, the cloud-edge architecture and advanced artificial intelligence models. Particular emphasis is placed on quantum computing as a disruptive technology, with the aim of developing hybrid AI-quantum digital twins.

Finally, the company will also take part in the validation stages through pilot projects conducted in real-world environments.

Knowledge transfer and impact

Pedro de la Peña, Ayesa Digital’s project manager, explains that HydroIA enables the company to apply its expertise in simulation, predictive modelling and optimisation algorithms for complex systems to the field of hydrology. In addition, the company’s i3B research unit contributes specialised expertise in quantum computing and quantum machine learning to the challenge of improving flood management.

“The key lies in researching and validating this specific application, without assuming in advance that it offers any proven advantage over classical methods,” stresses Pedro de la Peña.

The findings of this research could be transferred in the medium term to the energy and industrial sectors, as well as to public administrations. For public authorities and businesses, this could translate into lower repair costs, fewer operational disruptions, and better planning of emergency response measures and preventive investment. From an environmental perspective, the solution will help improve water management and the management of related infrastructure, protect ecosystems and strengthen resilience to extreme weather events.

HydroIA is one of five R&D technology projects that Ayesa Digital will be involved in developing in Andalusia over the coming years, further strengthening the company’s commitment to research and innovation in the region. These initiatives have a combined budget of more than €11 million and are part of the Innterconecta STEP funding programme, promoted by Spain’s Centre for the Development of Technology and Innovation (CDTI).

The programme aims to foster R&D collaboration between companies from different regions and research organisations working to develop strategic technologies for Europe, thereby strengthening the continent’s competitiveness and technological autonomy.