General Electric Is Using Data Analytics To Make Hydropower More Useful

1 min read

General Electric’s Digital Hydro Solutions could revolutionise the way we do hydropower. The technologies use sensors and monitoring systems to come up with more efficient ways to run their hydropower plants. These devices collect data on how the plant is being run, analyses the data, and uploads the data to the cloud where both GE and their customers can have unlimited access through their rM&D (Remote Monitoring and Diagnostics) centres. The cloud solutions are made in partnership with IBM and SAP.

Practical uses:

• Use predictive analytics to anticipate the failure and manage the remaining life of machines.
• Gives information on how to alter system operation modes for the best and most efficient performance while meeting the needs of the grid.
• Uses OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) data to assess machine damage, reducing time and cost of damage assessments.
• Monitoring systems monitor health of machines and recommend inspection schedules.

GE currently has these technologies operating at over 100 hydropower plants in Portugal, Spain, Bhutan, Canada and the US. They range from 65MW to 5.5GW and total to more than 30GW – enough to power 22.5 million homes and remove 76 million tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.

Reported results include decreased online system downtime, improved planned maintenance, avoiding huge system breakdowns, increased reliability, increased revenue from other sources for the grid and increased safety.

GE's hydro plant system: https://youtu.be/DhaFiZNtNxE

GE is combining their more than 100 years of hydro expertise with IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) technology to create extremely efficient hydropower solutions. What do you think of GE’s data driven hydro solutions? Is it fascinating enough, or just another boring invention? Does the world really need it, or are there better alternatives? Share your thoughts by replying to this email!

For more information on data analytics in hydropower, or any other renewable energy related articles, view the other blog posts on my website and be sure to open my weekly emails every Tuesday at 9AM CAT. Please also share this newsletter with your friends and collogues working in the renewable energy sector.

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