SIMPaCT : strategic irrigation management to tackle urban overheating

SIMPaCT is Australia’s largest smart green infrastructure project. • Based in Bicentennial Park, Sydney, it aims to reduce the urban heat island effect (UHIE) by maximising the transpiration cooling provided by plants. • The project uses smart technology to optimise irrigation so plants can transpire freely during times when air temperatures are high. • SIMPaCT uses artificial intelligence to ‘learn’ from the past and present to predict soil moisture conditions in the coming seven days and make irrigation decisions accordingly. • SIMPaCT is expected to reduce air temperatures across the park by more than 3°C during hot days and the cooling effect is expected to extend at least half a kilometre into the surrounding urban land. • The technology will apply to existing or new irrigation projects anywhere. The IP will be public domain and the technical solution follows open technology design principles, making it accessible for utility providers and local governments.