#Finland #Oulu #Rockwell Automation #PVO-Vesivoima #University of Oulu

Harnessing AI for Hydraulic Turbine Regulation

In an innovative collaboration, Rockwell Automation, a leader in industrial automation, has partnered with PVO-Vesivoima and the University of Oulu to revamp turbine control at hydroelectric facilities in Finland. This partnership brings advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning to the forefront of power generation control, crucial for the operational efficiency and resilience of energy systems.

The New Control System

Using Rockwell Automation's cutting-edge technology, this system manages the intricacies of hydraulic turbine operations by utilizing real-time data streams. The integration of machine learning algorithms enables the identification of critical interactions affecting grid frequency. As a result, the turbine’s operational parameters can be dynamically adjusted to enhance efficiency and reduce wear over time, representing a significant step forward in hydroelectric power management.

As Asa Arvidsson, Regional Vice President for EMEA at Rockwell Automation, points out, "Infrastructure applications require optimum solutions due to their critical nature." By employing AI and machine learning in connection with rack-mounted and edge hardware, the project showcases a forward-thinking approach to automation that paves the way for future autonomous operations.

Collaboration and Expertise

The collaboration also emphasizes the importance of expert knowledge in control theory and mathematics, provided by researchers from the University of Oulu. With the support of Klinkmann Automation, a distributor of Rockwell Automation products, the team was able to develop a solution that not only prioritizes accuracy but also enhances cybersecurity through the integration of Allen-Bradley® ControlLogix® Compute modules.

Tommi Hansen-Haug, an operations specialist at PVO-Vesivoima, noted the unique advantage of working with Rockwell Automation, stating, "I benchmarked all the automation companies, and no one else had a solution for this except Rockwell Automation." This reflects the competitive edge Rockwell holds in the field of industrial automation.

Meeting Regulatory Standards

One of the primary goals of this innovative technology is to ensure compliance with Finland’s stringent power grid regulations as enforced by Fingrid, the Finnish state-owned electricity transmission operator. The response time necessary for participating in reserve market power delivery has become increasingly critical, and PVO-Vesivoima stands out as the only Nordic energy company to currently satisfy these updated regulations.

Rockwell Automation’s commitment to fostering advancements in industry-specific technology exemplifies its role in promoting sustainable energy solutions. As the global energy landscape continues to evolve, such partnerships signal a milestone on the path to smarter, more efficient power generation and distribution systems.

Looking Ahead

As industries worldwide embrace digital transformation, the success of this collaboration will likely inspire further initiatives integrating AI and automation. With Rockwell Automation at the helm, the industry's trajectory towards innovative and efficient energy solutions appears bright, marking a new era in how we harness and manage our natural resources.

For those interested in the intersection of technology and energy, the advancements emerging from this partnership emphasize the potential of AI to revolutionize traditional infrastructure, making them more secure and responsive to real-time challenges. The future of energy management may very well depend on such progressive collaborations that combine academic, industrial, and technological expertise to meet the demands of a changing world.