Safety Efficiency Accuracy The Elios 3 revealed that the tank was not built as originally designed, prompting updates to site records and recalculating flow rates based on real-world measurements. Collaboration Osprey Integrity worked closely with rope access experts to ensure safe and efficient maintenance. This teamwork improved safety and speed during the operation. Hydroelectric power is one of the most strictly regulated industries. Infrastructure is built using the best technology available at the time, but as technology evolves, it becomes necessary to revisit older plants and update or upgrade them. This ensures they continue to operate efficiently and safely. The Taltson Hydro Plant is located on the Taltson River, a 290-meter-long waterway in Canada’s Northwest Territories. It currently houses one hydroelectric station that has been taken offline for six months to undergo major refurbishment. The project includes replacing the turbine, generator, and performing essential repairs to increase the plant's capacity. As part of the refurbishment process, the team focused on upgrading the turbine and generator to boost the plant's maximum output. A key part of this involved inspecting the entire water conveyance system, especially the penstock surge tank. This component plays a vital role in stabilizing pressure during turbine operation, making its condition and flow capacity critical to assess. Data collection was essential to evaluate the condition of the infrastructure. A multidisciplinary team was brought together to gather and analyze data around the plant. Mark Horton from Dimension Consulting was tasked with digitizing the facility, while Yannick Methot of GTA Hydro, the owner’s engineer, supported the assessment and planning of upgrades. Mark Nevison of Crux Trades, a rope access specialist, led the high-access teams working on the site. He reached out to Osprey Integrity, a drone service provider, to assist with data collection, particularly for the 35-meter-tall surge tank. Using drones allowed them to plan the safest and most efficient way to access the structure for maintenance. Osprey Integrity’s president, Courtland Penk, visited the remote site, where access was only possible by small plane. The team needed to conduct visual inspections and collect LiDAR data, which made the Elios 3 an ideal choice. Its compact design and ability to navigate confined spaces made it perfect for inspecting the surge tank and other hard-to-reach areas like tunnels and penstocks. With the right tools and a well-planned flight path, Courtland and his team completed the inspection in just seven minutes. The drone collected detailed data inside the 35-meter-tall surge tank, including visual images and LiDAR scans. They also explored deeper into the structure, analyzing the T-Joint in the piping and tunnels. The interior of the Surge Tank had some rusted areas that the Elios 3 captured clearly The data collected from the Elios 3 flight proved extremely valuable. Courtland used CloudCompare and Metashape to process the data before sharing it with a third-party contractor. The 3D scan was then used for CFD analysis to understand the flow characteristics of the orifice and tee joint, helping to optimize future operations of the surge tank. Mark N. and his team used the drone data to plan rope access routes. They discovered that some structural elements intended for securing ropes had corroded, and several bolts were missing. This information was crucial for ensuring the safety of the rope access team during maintenance work. Watch the LiDAR and visual scans of the Elios 3 inside the Surge Tank Additionally, the team found that the T-Joint had been constructed differently than the original plans suggested. This discovery was important for understanding the penstock’s pressure limits after the new installations. Courtland’s work with Mark N. and the rope access specialists demonstrated how drones can enhance safety and efficiency when combined with traditional methods. By providing precise and timely data, the Elios 3 played a key role in streamlining the refurbishment process. Soon, the Taltson Hydro Plant will be back online with its upgraded systems, increasing its output from 18MW to 22MW. This project highlights the growing importance of drone technology in modern infrastructure assessments and maintenance. Explore more about the Elios 3 and its advanced surveying capabilities. Vessel Hardware Parts,Boat Hardware Parts,Vessel Hardware Parts And Accessories,Vessel Hardware Parts Of A Ship Jiangsu Kinuo Furnace Roller Co., Ltd. , https://www.jskinuoroller.comInspecting a 35-Meter Surge Tank with the Elios 3 in Canada
Key Benefits at a Glance
Planning Future Upgrades with Drone Mapping
The Surge Tank is 35 meters tall and difficult to access from the inside
Incorporating Drones into Inspection Workflows
Results of the Elios 3 Surge Tank Inspection
Impact of the Drone Inspection
Analyzing a 35-meter dam surge tank with the Elios 3 in Canada
Access to Taltson Hydro Plant is only possible by plane