The Line, sustainable from its foundations with Libelium's AI solution

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Libelium plays a crucial role in the building of The Line in NEOM, a linear city conceived to be sustainable from its inception. This project is an architectural marvel and aims to be a benchmark in urban sustainability. The Line is envisioned as a linear metropolis, 200 meters wide and 170 kilometres long, connecting the Red Sea to the mountains of the Arabian Peninsula. It promises a lifestyle in harmony with nature and a new way of designing cities.

The plan estimates that the city will be completed by 2030.

The Challenge

In NEOM, a revolutionary idea is born: The Line, a city that redefines sustainable urbanism. Libelium is at the forefront, of monitoring and controlling air quality. The challenge was to address air pollution stemming from construction, as well as other nearby sources such as the Red Sea port or desert sand.

Libelium’s Solution

Libelium uses the CHIMERE chemical transport model, a multi-scale, open-source system that ranges from hemispheric to urban scales. This model integrates:

CHIMERE: Calculates chemical concentrations based on emission models and meteorological data.
IoT sensors and satellite observations: Calibrate the model and provide real-time data on air quality.
Pollution source algorithm: Uses a semi-automatic clustering approach in two stages, identifying pollution patterns and associating them with specific sectors.

Antonio J. Jara, CSO of Libelium, emphasizes that this collaboration with NEOM goes beyond a technical challenge; “it is an opportunity to set new standards in urban sustainability.”

Air Quality solution architecture

Libelium’s solution is organized into several layers:

Data collection layer: With IoT devices and satellite data.
CHIMERE simulation engine: Feeds contextual intelligence.
Contextual intelligence layer: Generates heat maps and pollution source calculations.
Insights visualization in the user interface.

The CHIMERE model, enhanced with AI, allows detailed pollution analysis with a multi-scale approach, ranging from satellite panoramic resolutions to are 1km to the urban area of less than 100 meters. This detailed resolution is possible thanks to a downscaling is done with Street Canyon models to street levels increasing the resolution to a level of tens of meters.

IoT devices and satellite data are crucial for fine-tuning this model.

Additionally, the AI solution incorporates further innovation in the pollution source algorithm, as it can semi-automatically cluster pollution sources. Using the advanced CHIMERE model, combined with the latest IoT sensor technology and satellite analysis, Libelium measures air quality and identifies the exact pollution sources (port, dessert sand or works pollution).

Grouping air quality pollution sources: a patented innovation

Air quality pollution sources technology, an exclusive Libelium innovation, represents a significant milestone in the field of environmental monitoring. Developed by the Libelium’s R&D team for several years in the mining field.
The ability of this technology to accurately identify the sources of air pollutants allows mining companies and other industrial sectors, such as construction, to take more effective measures to control and reduce their environmental impact.
Its application in real cases like in NEOM has proven to be a success, providing crucial data that helps improve air quality and, therefore, workers health and the environment.

This holistic approach is key to effective environmental management.

ia air quality monitoring in works

Beyond the Challenge

Libelium’s solution in NEOM has exceeded initial expectations, leading the city towards greater sustainability.

The ability to monitor and manage air quality in real-time not only certifies NEOM’s sustainability from its construction but also underpins informed decision-making and continuous improvement.

Furthermore, the Libelium platform has opened up new opportunities in resource management, public safety, and urban planning.

With access to precise and up-to-date data on air quality, NEOM can optimize its operations and ensure a healthy and sustainable environment for its residents.