Measurements from DL-TRS12 in a strawberry field

Decentlab Sensor Device DL-TRS12 in wild!

In the landscapes of Finland, a local university laboratory is studying the interplay of fertilizers and weather on soil quality.

As part of this ongoing study, the DL-TRS12 - Soil Moisture, Temperature, and Electrical Conductivity Sensor for LoRaWAN® - has been deployed at a Finnish strawberry farm. Its purpose is to continuously monitor soil conditions in real-time and so giving immediately insights. 

Special thanks to our partner, Effectio, for this picture.

Testing DL-BLG - Black Globe Temperature Sensors

In August, we featured the meteoblue city climate monitoring system. Subsequently, our partner, meteoblue, conducted extensive summer testing of ten DL-BLG | Black Globe Temperature Sensor for LoRaWAN from Decentlab and has recently released a comprehensive report on their findings.

The Black Globe Temperature Sensors measure the mean radiant temperature that reflects the apparent temperature of human bodies, which is the perceived temperature that people experience, considering the influence of shading effects from trees or buildings. 

Initial tests compared two locations: one in a park and one on a street. The first results indicate high differences between shaded (green line) and non-shaded (black line) locations and underline the importance of planting trees and ensuring enough shaded areas in cities. The mean radiant temperatures of the sensor on the sunny footwalk reached up to 49°C. In contrast, the shaded footwalk on the other side of the street reached a maximum 36°C in the analysed time period.

This information is vital for urban planning to enhance human comfort. The project will use these findings for future steps.

Read more

Explore the Meteorological World Expo in Geneva

In October, we have the pleasure of participating in the Meteorological World Expo in Geneva – a unique event that brings together the world of meteorology and climate monitoring.

What can you expect at this exciting expo?

Innovative Technologies:
Learn about the latest developments and technologies in meteorological research and climate monitoring. 

Networking:
The expo offers an ideal opportunity to forge valuable connections, where you can meet professionals, researchers, and enthusiasts from around the world.

Exhibitors:
Alongside Decentlab, other leading companies will also be showcasing their products and services. Discover a wide range of solutions shaping the future of weather and environmental monitoring.

We look forward to meeting you in October at the Meteorological World Expo in Geneva.

Monitoring water levels to prevent water scarcity

When people think of Switzerland, idyllic scenes of green meadows and pristine lakes often come to mind. But the country struggles with seasonal water shortages caused by changing glacier and snow patterns. The integration of IoT sensors, such as the Decentlab DL-PR26 | Pressure / Liquid Level and Temperature Sensor for LoRaWAN, enables precision water level measurements and proactive detection of anomalies. These sensors ensure continuous real-time monitoring for years and eliminate the need to replace batteries.

Our partnership with akenza makes sensor integration via their platform effortless. By leveraging akenza's rules engine, sensor data triggers automatic actions. For example, immediate SMS or email alerts are sent when water levels drop - an important measure to avert potential pump damage.

The interaction of IoT and water monitoring enables Switzerland to optimize the use of water resources and to fight the spectre of water scarcity.

Thanks to our partner akenza for the report and excellent collaboration.

meteoblue – City Climate

Already in the 19th century, people noticed differences in air quality between cities and their surroundings. Cities have their own unique climate, known as the urban climate, which differs from the surrounding areas in terms of temperature, wind, humidity, and other meteorological variables. Nowadays, these climatic disparities are increasing due to climate change.

The new meteoblue city climate monitoring system offers cities an affordable infrastructure to accurately measure, forecast, and model their urban climate in less than a year. This provides reliable information for city planners, decision-makers, and citizens.

The system has undergone testing in Switzerland since 2019 and rapidly evolved through collaboration with universities and partner cities in 2020. In use are Decentlab's new device, DL-BLG | Black Globe Temperature Sensor for LoRaWAN® and DL-SHT35 | Air Temperature and Humidity Sensor with Radiation Shield for LoRaWAN®.

Thanks to meteoblue for the great cooperation.

New - Black Globe Temperature Sensor for LoRaWAN®

DL-BLG | Black Globe Temperature Sensor for LoRaWAN®

Decentlab's sensor for measuring:

• Heat stress measurement

• Workplace safety

• Wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) calculation for heat stress

• Meteorology

Sensor data are transmitted in real-time using LoRaWAN® radio technology. The user can obtain sensor data through Decentlab’s data storage and visualization system, or through the user's own infrastructure.

For more detailed information consult the corresponding datasheet.

Cold air lakes – Winter/Summer

In last year's November newsletter, we highlighted the installation of a Decentlab DL-SHT35-002 by kaltluftseen.ch in a cold air pool located in Sägistal, Switzerland. Cold air pools, unique meteorological occurrences, are commonly found in specific geographic pockets, particularly valleys and mountainous areas. These pools of chilly air form due to very specific weather conditions, causing frigid air to gather in depressions or valleys.

In the previous winter, the DL-SHT35-002 device, thoughtfully placed by Stephan Vogt, captured Switzerland's coldest measurement of that season: a bone-chilling -42.3 °C. As summer takes its turn, the temperatures within the cold air pool are now experiencing a notable rise. For a comprehensive view, consider exploring current conditions and historical data.

To find out more about cold air pools and gain a better understanding of their formation, you can explore informative details and reports on kaltluftseen.ch.

Thanks to kaltluftseen.ch for the great work!

Flood risk management in North Wales

Beach Road in Y Felinheli, North Wales, has been regularly hit by flooding, which is expected to increase due to climate change. Flood gates were installed in 2020 to protect homes and businesses. The lack of tide gauge data posed a challenge, so Decentlab's DL-PR26 sensor, which measures pressure / water column / level, and temperature, was installed.

Data was then obtained from the UK Coastal Monitoring and Forecasting Service’s tidal gauge at Holyhead. The objective of the study was to establish a relationship between the tide level at Y Felinheli and Holyhead so that the tide level forecast available for Holyhead could be used as a trigger for the closure of the tide gates. The study included statistical analyses such as delay time of tidal peaks, trends in tidal cycles, phases and tidal peaks, variability, surge, outliers, and past flood events.

This cost-effective solution includes community participation and provides savings opportunities. The method can be applied to other flood risk management programs.

Thanks to Gwynedd, YGC for the cooperation and and the pictures.

All Decentlab devices now integrated in Qubitro platform

We're pleased to announce a new partnership between Qubitro and Decentlab.

The Qubitro platform now includes most Decentlab devices. Users can now easily connect them to the Qubitro platform without having to code or make complicated settings. Instead, link the device, join the LoRaWAN network, pick a dashboard, and you’re ready to go.

Decentlab LoRaWAN devices can be used for many applications such as air quality, ecophysiology, hydrology, indoor air quality, water level and quality, and urban heat island measurements.

IoT platforms that have already integrated Decentlab devices

Making natural hazards visible

Natural disasters usually have devastating effects and often occur unexpectedly and surprisingly. Therefore, it is important to listen carefully when nature "speaks" to us. By closely monitoring various parameters, changes in natural conditions can be detected at an early stage. This valuable time gain allows for prediction and identification of such events and provides the opportunity to evacuate people and prevent damage.



Our customer and partner, Ecosensors, is currently engaged in a project called "Forest Fire Risk Assessment in Salzburg" due to heat, drought, and wind. Decentlab's DL-TRS12, DL-ATM41, DL-SMTP sensors for LoRaWAN are used in this project. In addition, the system collects and analyzes the following data categories with different Decentlab sensors:



Climate & Weather

Extreme weather events such as storms, precipitation, humidity, and heat / Forest and wildfire risk



Environment

Water level / Soil conditions / Air quality / Snow depths



Surroundings

Icy and slippery conditions / Surface temperatures



Thanks to Ecosensors for the great project and the pictures. 

The forest is suffering from extreme weather conditions

The Swiss forest is suffering from extreme weather conditions such as drought and high temperatures. The consequences are clearly visible: there are more dead and damaged trees. Additionally, there is a lack of young tree growth. The dryness also has a negative impact on timber production. Particularly affected are the spruce, chestnut, and ash trees, whose populations are declining. 



The interim results of the national forest inventory show significant regional variations. In certain regions, the forest landscape has undergone significant changes within a short period of time.



Read full article from our customer & partner WSL (Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research).



WSL and its partners operate TreeNet, the biological drought and growth indicator network, which provides real-time information on tree water relations and tree growth utilizing sensors such as Decentlab's DL-ZN1, DL-TRS21 & DL-SHT35.

Groundwater measurements

In the summer of 2022, Switzerland suffered from heatwaves that resulted in dried-out soils, and this is expected to occur more frequently in the future.

Our customer and partner, inNET, published an interesting article addressing this issue, specifically focusing on the state of the precious resource of groundwater. They explore questions such as the availability of sufficient groundwater and the impact of increased use of geothermal probes for heating or cooling purposes on the groundwater temperature. Utilizing Decentlab sensors like DL-PR36, inNET offers online groundwater measurements that provide real-time data and visual representation. These measurements enable the timely delivery of information about groundwater levels and temperatures to the public, authorities, and media.

Read more

Weather monitoring in a Welsh harbor

The Welsh government funded the installation of a Decentlab sensor DL-ATM41, which will capture temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, rainfall, wind direction, wind speed, wind gusts and lightning in a harbour in the Conwy River in Wales.

Collaboration between the flood response team and the harbourmaster revealed that it would be beneficial for both Conwy residents and the boating community to have access to this information. The careful placement of the sensor ensures that it remains unaffected by floating anchorages during a high tide with a level of 8.5m. The harbourmaster will share the collected data with water and harbour users, and there are plans to display the information on screens for boat owners on the river. The data from the weather sensor will also be brought together as part of a bigger suite of weather sensors. Additionally, the data will be accessible to everyone through an online portal.

Thanks for the great pictures Scott Andrews (SenseAbility, Conwy County Borough Council)

Measurement of heavy rainfall

After a dry winter, Switzerland is now experiencing a wet spring. Just a few days ago, our partner and customer inNET Monitoring AG received eight flood warnings within a short span of time through their floodALERT system in central Switzerland. Actually, it rained heavily in some places. The peak value for a 10-minute interval was recorded at 13.5 mm. While it may not be an absolute record, it is indeed a considerable amount of water falling from the sky.

inNET offers automatic real-time water level and rainfall measurements with floodALERT. The measurements are stored and visualized in real-time and are continuously and automatically monitored. floodALERT serves as both an early warning system for impending floods and for online monitoring of flow rates, water levels, and remaining water in the context of energy generation, as well as low water levels during heatwaves or for construction site monitoring.

Thanks to Mario Betschart, inNET Monitoring AG

Lack of snow in winter 2022/23

Our customer and partner, the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), has published an exciting article on the lack of snow in the winter of 2022/23, its impact on domains like winter sports and the environment, and its long-term outlook for the forthcoming decades.

The article looks at the causes of the snow shortage and its impact on the environment, water supply, vegetation, agriculture and the winter sports industry. It also examines the relationship between climate change and the disappearing snowpack, as well as future scenarios predicted by projections. The article also offers insight into strategies to mitigate this challenge.

full article

Climate-responsive design, water-sensitive urban design and urban greening

OneOneFive Hamilton Hill is a redevelopment project of the former Hamilton Senior High School site in Perth. The project includes around 225 lots, 333 homes, and two hectares of public open space. JBA is providing landscape architectural, sustainability, and urban water consultancy services for the project, including site analysis, research, and stakeholder collaboration. The landscape design will focus on the existing landform and natural heritage of the site, while also promoting sustainability and reducing the urban heat island effect.

Several DL-ITST-002 sensors are used in this project. They are monitoring the surface temperature of bushland, irrigated grass, and irrigated garden bed, as well as the surface temperature of asphalt, permeable concrete road surface, and concrete pathway to compare the microclimate effects.

Pictures and reference from our customer Richard Johnson, Huey.Co Pty Ltd

Read more about the project

Stormwater- & Floodmonitoring in Hongkong

Hong Kong is facing significant challenges in managing its channels, stormwater, and floods. With its dense population and geography, the city is vulnerable to flash floods during heavy rain. Moreover, rapid urbanization has led to significant changes in natural drainage patterns.

The city authorities has also invested in advanced technologies such as Decentlab's DL-MBX sensor for LoRaWAN to monitor water levels, detect blockages in drainage channels, and provide real-time data for flood warning systems. These measures aim to reduce the risk of flooding and improve the city's resilience to extreme weather events.

Picture credits: upper image by Shun Hing Systems Integration Co., Ltd, lower image by our partner Ben Olayinka, The Things Industries 

Meet Decentlab in Vienna

As a leading company in environmental sensors, we are excited to participate in EGU23 from April 23-28, 2023 in Vienna to showcase our latest products and solutions.

EGU23 is one of the largest conferences for geosciences in Europe, held annually. This is an opportunity for us to exchange knowledge and experience with top experts and scientists, and stay up-to-date with the latest developments and technologies in the industry.

Manufacturing of DL-SHT35 & DL-WRM-002

Decentlab produces all devices locally in Switzerland to meet the high Swiss quality standards. Each step of the production process is closely monitored and controlled to guarantee accurate manufacturing and assembly, resulting in high-quality products.

Currently, we are manufacturing DL-SHT35 and DL-WRM-002 sensors, among others. DL-SHT35 sensor is tailored to meet the requirements of smart agriculture, providing temperature and humidity measurements in various environments such as urban heat islands, greenhouses, and for frost alarms. Additionally, it is used in building automation. DL-WRM-002 sensor is developed for outdoor remote monitoring and can be used for winter road maintenance, frost alarms, ice alerts, and smart agriculture applications.

The devices are all powered by battery and can run for several years autonomously and the measurements are wireless transmitted over LoRaWAN®. All our devices are easy to install and come with a robust housing that safeguards the electronics from external impacts, ensuring their durability. 

Fine particulate matter pollution too high worldwide - Study

The worldwide PM2.5 air pollution still exceeds the WHO daily maximum level on 70% of days, rising to over 90% in East and South Asia. Air pollution causes seven million deaths globally each year, with 240,000 in the EU alone in 2020. The main sources of PM2.5 are transportation, power generation, heating, metal and steel production, and soil erosion. In urban areas, traffic is the main source, while in agriculture, ammonia from animal husbandry contributes to PM2.5. Although the WHO lowered its PM2.5 limits in 2021, it was exceeded in most German measuring stations in 2022.

Roland Schrödner from the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research in Leipzig regards the study as promising but notes that PM2.5 is only a compromise. The most dangerous particles are PM1, which must be better monitored in the future, along with their chemical composition.

Decentlab’s DL-PM measures particulate matter (PM) concentrations PM1, PM2.5, PM4, temperature, humidity and barometric pressure.

Read article (german), read study (english), realtime demo for DL-PM