iAgua Magazine recently published an interview with Pablo Pelayo, Operations Director at Celestia TST, where he discusses how SmartUtility Water is driving the digitalisation of the water cycle. In this article, Pablo shares Celestia TST’s technological vision and over eighteen years of experience developing IoT solutions applied to water management and sustainability.
The digital transformation of the water sector is progressing rapidly, driven by technologies that turn data into actionable insights. At Celestia TST, we work every day to make this possible through modular, scalable solutions that optimise water network management. Among these, SmartUtility Water is the culmination of our IoT engineering expertise applied to critical infrastructure.
IoT with Purpose: From Device to Data
Since our beginnings, we have witnessed and led the evolution of IoT, from early M2M systems to today’s connected ecosystem. Our value proposition is based on a comprehensive vision: designing and manufacturing both hardware and software platforms, always aiming to transform data into useful knowledge for operational management.
More than 100,000 devices manufactured by Celestia TST are currently deployed in the field — including 35,000 TSherpa units — transmitting data with a reliability rate exceeding 99%. This accumulated know-how and in-house development enable us to select the most appropriate technology for each project, ensuring interoperability and efficiency.
TSherpa Gateway: The Heart of SmartUtility Water
The TSherpa gateway is an NB-IoT technology concentrator designed and manufactured entirely in Spain. It acts as an intermediary between meters and the data management platform, facilitating real-time communication and data security.
Key technical features include:
- Compatibility with meter protocols via wired UNE 82326/RS-485 or wireless WM-Bus 868/169 MHz.
- Low-power communication using NB-IoT technology, ideal for environments with limited coverage.
- Advanced security with protocols such as DTLS and integration capabilities using LwM2M when required.
- Extended autonomy: battery life exceeding 12 years.
- Simple configuration: available with Bluetooth for local installation and adjustments.
- Installation without interruptions: no need to handle the meter or interrupt service.
Operational advantages:
- A single gateway manages dozens or hundreds of meters via one SIM card, simplifying and reducing connectivity costs.
- Installed in locations with better coverage than traditional meters, extending battery life.
- Data reliability and accuracy exceeding 99%, critical for early leak detection and automation.
Local support and proprietary engineering enable agile, adaptable, and robust solutions tailored to various client needs and scales.
SmartUtility Water: Flexibility, Efficiency, and Control
SmartUtility Water is a comprehensive solution designed to adapt to the needs of each operator. Its modular architecture can include everything from the measurement device to the management and connectivity platform, or it can integrate only the elements that the customer requires. Furthermore, its design allows integration with existing meter networks — wired, wireless, or NB‑IoT — avoiding the need to replace infrastructure that is still functional.
Key benefits include:
- Operational cost reduction through automatic reading and large-scale data management.
- Early detection of leaks and anomalous consumption via real-time alerts.
- Enhanced sustainability and transparency, enabling data-driven decision-making.
Additionally, it scales from small municipalities to large urban operators, grouping dozens or hundreds of meters under a single cellular connectivity to simplify maintenance and lower costs.
Towards a Predictive and Sustainable Model
We continue advancing towards an increasingly predictive and intelligent model. We invest in advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and digital twins to optimise networks, predict incidents, and improve operational efficiency.
We also maintain commitment to low energy consumption, third-party sensor integration, and full interoperability, expanding this architecture to other smart metering sectors.
As Pablo Pelayo states in the interview: “Digitalisation of water is not only about efficiency; it is also a means to provide a more sustainable, transparent, and people-centred service.”
Read the full interview
The full interview with Pablo Pelayo is available in iAgua Magazine 54, where we delve deeper into our technological vision and the next steps for Celestia TST to keep driving digital transformation in the water cycle.