Fully Unattended

Hydropower Station

Presented by Prof. Lu Renwen

水电站完全无人值班介绍
 The Proposal of Unattended

At present, the “few on-duty” technology is widely

used in the hydropower stations in China.
In order to improve the safe operation of hydropower
station equipments and automation level, the
“Completely Unattended Automation" technology is an
important way of hydropower station development.
What is the “Unattended” ？

It means neither technicians nor

operators has to stay on duty at
site. Only necessary security
personnel is arranged at site.

By using the remote

communication system, we
shift the work place to a place
around cities and towns instead
of the rural area.
 Conditions to Fulfill the "Unattended”

Four conditions to realize the “unattended”:

1.Primary equipments with excellent
performance ;
2.Secondary equipments with reasonable design
(incl. reliable communication channel);
3.Corresponding management system;
4.Generally-improved personnel quality
 Forms of “Unattended "Power Plant

1. 400V low voltage unit “Unattended”operation

2. Individual HPP “Unattended” operation

3. Cascade HPPs “Unattended” operation

4. Hydropower Plant Group “Unattended” operation

400V LV Unit Unattended Hydropower Network Diagram

GPRS
3G, 4G

The 400V mini hydro

set up the remote
monitoring center but
just to fulfill the
automatic control by
cell phone through
GPRS, 3G and 4G.
System Schematic Diagram of Unattended HPS

The control and monitoring of individual HPS is

realized via Remote Monitoring Center.
 Cascade Hydropower Stations

The cascade hydropower stations are combined as a network. The

monitoring and control of HPPs are realized by Remote Monitoring Center
in towns far away from the site.
 Hydropower Plant Group

Dozens of hydropower plants are connected via fiber optical

network and achieved monitoring and control by Remote
Monitoring Center.
 Requirements to Computer Network

◆ 　 The Safe operation and Reliable Control is the most

important principle for the concept of “unattended”
mode. The dual redundant design is necessary at some
key part/system.
◆ 　 The microcomputer monitoring system adopts
double networks, layered and distributed open structure.
◆ 　 The communication channel is of double or ring
network structure.
 Network Structure – Dual Star Type Ethernet
SMF Remote Monitoring
Remote Monitoring Center
Panel

TG Unit FOT

Dual High-speed FO Ethernet FO Ethernet Exchange

Excitation Unit LCU Fire Alarm Fieldbus Camera

System IVM on dam

Transducer Optical transceiver

Unit LCU
Common LCU Metering P. Dam LCU
DC power Sync. P Protection P.
EOV TW DVCR
 Network Structure – Ring Ethernet

TG Unit
 完全无人值班水电站网络结构图－－环形以太网
Network Structure
Host
– Ring Ethernet
computer communication
Printer computer

Dispatch center
Turbine
optical fiber
Engineer OP Ethernet card Gate LCU
computer computer

Turbine
LCU Communication
switch (telecommunications) computer Digital CCTV system
Excitation
system
Ring Type optical fiber Ethernet
Governor

Syn
Metering panel
panel
Oil system Water Gas
supply system
DC Switch Protection
system Public
Motor valve LCU 13 LCU panel
 Network Structure – Dual-Ring Ethernet

Excitation
system Dual ring Ethernet
 水电站网络结构图－－双环形以太网
Network Structure – Dual Ring Network
Engineer computer OP computer Host computer
Printer communication
computer
Turbine
Dispatch center

Turbine Gate LCU

LCU
Communication
computer
Excitation Digital CCTV
system system

Dual circum
Ethernet
Governor

Oil system Gas system

Switch
DC Public Metering Syn LCU
Protection

Motor valve system Water supply LCU panel panel15

panel
 Digital Video System
An unattended hydropower station should
equipped with digital video system.
1. The digital video camera uses Ethernet interface;
2. Directly connected with Ethernet switch.

Digital Camera Supervisory Computer

Ethernet Exchange

CCTV Camera

Digital Camera
 ON-Call system
An unattended hydropower station should equipped with
“Event SM Alarm System”, known as On-Call system.
Scheduling System
MIS System
Hydrological forecast System

OWS Master Station

Master Station

High-speed FO Ethernet

Unit LCU Unit LCU Gen Prot. P T Prot. P

 Computer Network of
Remote Monitoring Center
Network Structure of High Reliable Monitoring Center

相当于将水电站的
监控系统搬到了远方的监控
中心。
Network Structure of Monitoring Center with Higher Requirement
 Dual Ring Ethernet in Dispatching Center

Internet
network
DLP
controller MIS system
1000M High speed dual
circum Ethernet

workstations

Web
workstation Communication
workstation

21
printer
Servers Servers
 Requirements of
Primary Equipments
 Primary Equipments Meet High-level Standard

Primary equipments like turbine, generator, main

transformer, circuit breaker and HV distribution
device and others should meet the high-level
standard.
 Station Service Power System

1.The station service power system should be

completed and reliable, with necessary standby.
There should be 2 sets of station service power
transformer, one of which is fed from the grid
system and the other from the station power
supply system.

2.The spare power automatic switching is required.

The dual power supplies are standby for each other,
to guarantee the spare power supply can be
automatically switched on in case of any faults.
Station Service Power System

2 Incoming lines, 2 Incoming lines,

stby for each other stby for each other
 Microcomputer Governor System

1. It can stop automatic ally at faults;

2. Oil pressure device can work reliably. It prefers
to use the governor of 16Mpa or above ;.
3. It is well communicated with the supervisory
computer. The Ethernet interface is strongly
recommended.

High oil pressure Low oil pressure

governor governor
(not recommend)
 Excitation System

1. Adopt the microprocessor-based excitation system with dual

channels and self shunt-excited function;
2. Use the epoxy-resin filled transformer or dry type transformer.
 Self-shunt Excitation System
Thyristor bridge Carbon brush System Grid
Generator

De-excitation circuit

Rotor

Measuring loop

Excitation trans

Control Signal
Input Signal
Excitation Controller/ AVR
 Configuration of Automatic Synchronizer

1. Each synchronous point should provided with

individual automatic synchronizer;
2. Manual synchronizer should be equipped for debug
or manual synchronization. MZ-10D electronic
sychronoscope is recommended.
 The use of Electric Fence

The security and safety work is essential

and important for an Unattended
hydropower plant. Except for security
guard personnel, the installation of electric
fence is a good choice.
 The Use of Electric Fence
Electric fence is the visible perimeter formed by the rod and metal
wire, and other components. Electric fence helps to prevent
active intruder from coming into the protected area and beat back
the intruder so as to delay the invasion time. The intrusion signal
will be sent to the security department, so that the Managers can
know the conditions of alarmed area and have a quick response.
The Use of Electric Fence
 Set Up Management System

The management system consists of: duty system,

equipment inspection management system, equipment defect
management system, equipment overhaul management
system and equipment maintenance system.

1. Duty rules for dispatching and monitoring center;

2. Patrol inspection and management rules;
3. Operation and monitoring rules when the equipments are out
of service for isolation and accident prevention;
4. Training system for working staff;
5. Emergency handling and on-call system;
6. Accident handling system;
7. Sanitation rules for plant area, power house and equipments;

33
 Selection and Training for Personnel

The well-trained staff is the precondition to

achieve the unattended operation mode.
The staff should be experienced, well-trained,
high-responsibility and skilled to adapt to the
positions and operate the power station.

34
Application of Unattended Hydropower Plant
Automation System
Zhaojiaya II Unattended Hydropower Station

Zhaojiaya pump storage

power plant has 3 cascade
hydropower stations. Of
which Zhaojiaya II HPS has
upgraded to fully Unattended
operation mode.

The total installed capacity of

Zhaojiaya II is 3x1600 kW. The
generator outlet voltage rating
is 6.3kV, There is one 35∕6.3kV
MT with capacity of 6300kVA.
The HPS is connected to grid
via 1 loop 35kV outgoing line.
Zhaojiaya II Unattended Hydropower Plant

The remote
monitoring center is
located on 10F of
Cili Water Affairs
Bureau, about 50km
away from Zhaojiaya
HPP.
Remote Control Network Diagram

Dual channel
SMF
Unattended Zhaojiaya About 50km

Remote control center in Cili

Network Diagram
Remote Monitoring Center in Cili County
 Comparison of Equipments Before and
After Upgrading

改造前后赵家
垭水电站
的
设备对比
Remote Control Room (Panels)

Before After
 Measures taken during Maintenance or on-site Duty

Remote
control
panel
Turbine-generator units
Mobile inspection
rack

The mobile inspection rack is for

maintenance or on-site temporary duty.
Powerhouse before Upgrading
Powerhouse after Upgrading
CCR before Upgrading
CCR after Upgrading
TG Unit & Governor before Upgrading
TG Unit & Governor after Upgrading
Turbine-generator Control Panel

before After
Excitation System

After
Before
Switchgears before Upgrading
Switchgears after Upgrading
LV Power Panel after Upgrading
Relay Protection Panel before Upgrading
Relay Protection Panel before Upgrading
Relay Protection Panels after
DC Power Panel before & after

改造前
改造后
 Industrial Video Monitor

The hydropower station is also equipped with an industrial

video system, using a digital camera with an Ethernet
communication port, which can transmit the scene image of
the hydropower station to the remote control center.
 Remote Control Function
The remote control of HPS, such as automatic starting,
shutdown, load adjustment, data acquisition and
recording are realized by control center through optical
fiber communication
It also realizes the remote automatic control to the
valves, oil, gas, water and other auxiliary equipments.

Remote
control
Erlangba Cascade Hydropower Stations

陕西宁强县二郎坝梯级水电站
Erlangba Cascade Hydropower Stations
Including:
1) Tianshengqiao HPS (3×4000kW)
2) Erlangba HPS (3×2500kW)
3) Wolongtai HPS
(2×4000kW ＋ 2×11250kW)
 Geographical location of Erlangba
Cascade HPPs
We connect the cascade HPPs with remote monitoring
center via loop Ethernet.
Network Plan of Unattended HPS
Generators of Erlangba after Upgrading
Excitation Panels of Wolongtai after
Upgrading
CCR of Wolongtai after Upgrading
Power Distribution Room in RCC
Communication Room in RCC
Previous CCR
Remote Control Center in Ningqiang County
 Economic Benefits of Unattended
First of all, it is no need to assign operator
on-duty at site. Therefore, it saves a lot of
costs.

Secondly, due to the improvement of

automation, the automatic control and
inspection are realized, which not only
improved the efficiency, but also the control
accuracy and reliability. As a result, it saved
manpower.
 Economic Benefits of Unattended

Thirdly, because there are no personnel on

duty, the office buildings, staff quarters and
dining hall are no longer required to be built.
It can save a lot of infrastructure investment.
The save on costs is obvious especially for
the newly-build HPS. For old plants, the
office buildings can be used for other
purposes.
 Economic Benefits of Unattended

Fourthly ， it improves the

economical efficiency of
hydro power stations. If it
equipped with an economic
operation software and
make an resonable
arrangement for unit
operation, it is estimated
that at least 3% to 5% of the
generating capacity will be
increased annually.
 Technical Research & Application of Small and
Medium-sized HPS Unattended Operation Mode

Passed the evaluation of MWR

On 16 of May, 2011, the S&M HPS Unattended

Automation System developed by HNAC has
passed the evaluation of Ministry of Water
Resources, P.R. China.
 Technical Research & Application of Small and
Medium-sized HPS Unattended Operation Mode

The experts of MWR believe that the results have

been applied in Zhaojiaya and many other
hydropower projects, which are proved to be
safe, reliable and economic. It has good
economic and social benefits, and big market
potential.
 第 77张

Remote Monitoring System

2021.04.13
 第 78张
Remote Monitoring System of HPP
The data and image of pump stations, HPPs
are transmitted to user’s computer via
Internet.
1. Internet accessible
2. Connecting pump stations, HPPs and users
with Internet.
3. You can browse the information anywhere
with Internet.
4. Pin code required
5. Anti-virus firewall needed

2021.04.13
Remote Monitoring System
 Conditions to fulfill Remote Monitoring

1. Internet access;
2. By installing the HZ300B secure communication
gateway and User Terminal Browse Software, you can
browse various data of HPP remotely;
3. Data browse OK, control N/A;
4. You can browse the condition of each station through
Internet no matter where you are;
5. Input user name and code to connect to Internet
 How to login Hznet Remote
Monitoring System
1. Typing following URL in IE8 browser
http://hznet.cshnac.com

2. Input username: hznet

Pin code ： 123456
HZnet login page
HZNet Remote Monitoring Service Center
Ready to Loin
 Login

Click the small block to install SVGVIEW.EXE

Then you will see the drawings
Download svgview.exe
Single Line Diagram of HPS

Zoom
in/out
Zoom in
Other Graphic Interfaces
e.g.: click start process
Flowchart of Starting up
Unit Status
Submenu