In 2019, 16% of the world’s total electricity generation was provided by hydroelectric power plants. Continuity of electricity production can be ensured by monitoring the status of these systems and timely maintenance without causing malfunctions. As hydro turbines typically rotate at a slower speed, they often have to operate at a partial load to meet the fluctuating electricity demands. This partial load process increases the potential for water pressure-related vibrations, turbulence, and cavitation. Continuous operating plant parts are prone to fatigue and damage owing to the excessive vibration caused by these fluctuations. It is possible to ensure that they work in harmony with each other from the smallest parts to large systems using online monitoring systems. This also extends life and increases performance of the power plants because of protected system integrity. In this study, we aimed to examine the importance of real-time hydroelectric power plant condition monitoring and its contribution to electricity generation in detail and presented suggestions for increasing system efficiency.
Cite this article as: Alagöz İ, Bulut M, Geylani V, Yıldırım A. Importance of Real-Time Hydro Power Plant Condition Monitoring Systems and Contribution to Electricity Production. Turk J Electr Power Energy Syst, 2021; 1(1): 1-11.