Abstract: A system for monitoring maintenance information in a hydroelectric power generation facility comprises sensors coupled to a controller. The sensors detect actual levels of operating parameters for a desired operating period at an operating condition. The detected parameters include a stressor capable of affecting a life span, or mean time between failures, of the turbine or one of its components. The controller determines the amount of the life span used up. A method for monitoring maintenance information in a power generation facility includes the steps of monitoring levels of operating parameters including a stressor for a desired operating period at an operating condition. The stressor affects the life span of the turbine or one of its components, and the amount of the life span used up over the operating period is calculated.

Abstract: A system for controlling a hydroelectric power production facility includes sensors for detecting the presence of fish adjacent to the facility. A controller linked to the sensors controls the orientation of control surfaces associated with a turbine/generator set to enhance the survivability of fish entrained into the facility when fish are detected to be present. The controller may instead or in addition activate projection arrays to guide fish to particular turbines or selected areas within the turbines that enhance the survivability of the fish passing through the turbines. The system may also be adapted to control fish bypass and spillway structures within the facility to further enhance the survivability of fish populations. The system balances fish survivability with other parameters related to the operation of the facility, optimizing power production levels once estimates of fish survivability meet targets or optimum levels.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring trash rack fouling in a turbine facility. The trash rack monitoring system includes sensors for detecting apparent gross head, flow rate, and effective gross head. The head values are used to select performance curves representative of historical turbine operation at the two head values. The two performance curves are simultaneously displayed on a computer monitor to graphically depict the decreased turbine performance resulting from fouling of the trash racks. The performance is also shown as an economic loss value. A method is also provided for optimizing performance in a multi-unit turbine facility. The method involves determining the net head on each turbine unit as a basis for selecting net head performance curves and ultimately deriving an optimum operating point for each turbine unit.