Design and Implementation of Real Time Monitoring System of Water Flow in Hydro Power Plants Using Virtual Instrumentation Software

In this paper it is presented the real time monitoring system of water flow in hydro power plants which is designed with virtual instrumentation software. Water flow through penstock has been measured by using flow sensor. Volumetric flow of excess water, in the case of emergency evacuation of water, has been calculated from position of control gates and water level. Relationship between the volumetric flow of excess water, position of control gates and water level has been a prior experimentally established and saved into look up table. Signals from position and level sensors have been used as inputs into the look up table. Entries into the look up table are interpolated using bilinear interpolation method and they are used for calculation of excess water flow. By using integration method with fixed step time, the volume of transmitted water through all outlets has been calculated. All necessary real time calculation, data presentation and data logging have been performed using virtual instrumentation software. With a proper application software organization and by means of digital communication real time measurement and presentation of results are ensured.