Automated Water-level Regulation System for Hydroelectric Power Plants

摘要

Chute-Allard (62 MW) and Rapides-des-Coeurs (76MW) are the two latest power plants addedrnto the existing Saint-Maurice hydroelectric complex owned by Hydro-Québec (Québec,rnCanada). These power plants have been designed with the particularity of relying on anrnautomated regulation system, designated as "Master-Controller" (MC).rnThe MC is a programmable multifunction Intelligent Electronics Devices (IED) that regulates thernChute-Allard (CA) and the Rapides-des-Coeurs (RdC) forebay water-level by subjecting thernturbine–generator units, the regulator gates and the spillway gates. This automated regulationrnsystem analyses the forebay and tailbay water-level data and translates them into retaining orrnevacuating flow requests. All the regulator gates and the spillway gates must be operatedrnaccording to the safety regulation standard that protects occasional fishermen and sailorsrndownstream. Also in spring at the Rapides-des-Coeurs facility, the MC modulates a minimalrnecological flow, required to maintain adequate conditions for the fish spawning grounds.