An Integrated Site Controller-Network Monitoring System for Small Scale Hydroelectric Sites

by John Philip Cross, STS Consultants Ltd, Northbrook, IL, USA,
Bruce Charleston, STS Consultants Ltd, Northbrook, IL, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Water Power '87

Abstract:

Over the past decade more and more small scale hydroelectric power developers have faced the question of the economic feasibility of installing microprocessor based control systems for their projects. The primary justification for the added expense of these units has been a decrease in the amount of man-hours necessary for the proper operation of the hydroelectric plant. This paper will examine the premise that this approach is only examining part of the real issue involved with the automated control of a hydro site. The ultimate issues involved include not only a cost savings, but also increased monitoring flexibility, better site control and potential networking of multiple sites for control and trend analysis. The general outline of this paper will be to first discuss a systems approach to hydroelectric development, system requirements and constraints, and then to examine the functional model of the integrated control system from both a local and remote standpoint.

Subject Headings: Control systems | Hydro power | Site investigation | Integrated systems | System analysis | Computer models | Power plants

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