Automation
Design, manufacturing and programming of control command cabinets and distribution boards designed to measure for each project
Automation
Our control command cabinets are custom designed and manufactured to meet the specific requirements of each hydroelectric project. Each cabinet is the result of dedicated engineering integrating the latest automation technologies.
We provide complete design from electrical studies to manufacturing in our workshops, including PLC programming and graphical interfaces.
Technical Specifications
- High quality equipment and widely available products ensuring spare parts availability
- Programmable Logic Controller (Mainly Siemens Schneider)
- Touch screens
- Measuring devices
- Protection relays
- Synchronization equipment
- Voltage regulator
Main Features
- Automatic and step-by-step start management
- Normal, fast shutdown and emergency sequence management in case of faults
- Automatic starts and stops based on water levels and/or spot energy prices
- Different operating modes: Level, Power, or pressure regulation (taking pressure losses into account)
- Reactive power management: Q=f(U)
- Opening, power, and head limitations for low-head plants
- Maintenance mode allowing individual control of components and motors for safe testing
- Water intake safety and security control
- Trash rack and gate control
Modernization Projects
Plant modernization is generally carried out for two essential reasons: equipment obsolescence or increased efficiency to improve the load factor (downtime reduction, feature addition, process automation).
In general, the renovation of control equipment results in:
Benefits
- Reduced production costs
- Extended lifespan
- Increased reliability
- Extended efficiency
- Better stability
Reasons to Modernize
- Equipment obsolescence
- Increased efficiency
- Improved capacity factor
- Reduced downtime
- Feature additions
- Process automation
Modernization is carried out in three stages
Diagnosis of existing equipment
Complete analysis of current system condition
Analysis of different solutions
Collaborative study with the client of available options
Modernization
Partial or complete equipment upgrade following the selected solution
New Projects
The control command system and more generally all electrical equipment are often little considered when carrying out a project. Production equipment (turbines and generators) capture all the attention for various reasons (higher costs, yields, etc.).
These systems are however an essential factor in the reliability and productivity of an installation and have a direct impact on the profitability of a project.
Optimal integration of the control command system with production equipment ensures ease of daily operation of the installation as well as simplified maintenance, thus contributing to reducing operating costs.