Safety of EDF dams using fibre optic links
EDF Hydro is the division of the EDF Group (Électricité de France) dedicated to generating electricity from hydropower, also known as hydroelectric power. To carry out its mission successfully, this division must regularly invest in technologies to optimise its production and also to improve the safety of the dams under its responsibility.
EDF Hydro has therefore initiated a policy of modernising its equipment based on safe and reliable monitoring technologies.
Problems encountered
Among these technologies, captors to measure water levels or control valves are deployed to monitor dam conditions in real time. They must enable rapid identification of anomalies and an immediate response to minimise potential risks.
To ensure the security and communication of information between the dam and the control room, EDF Hydro has decided to rely on its fibre optic network.
It was in this context that IFOTEC was asked to design a reliable fibre optic information transport solution that would meet EDF’s control and safety requirements.
Solution implemented
In accordance with the specifications provided, IFOTEC designed equipment to remotely control 8 Contact Closure and transmit a 4-20mA analogue sensor signal (water level measurement) over an fibre optic cable.
This equipment incorporates advanced redundancy and self-control mechanisms.
All output contacts are doubled to ensure continuity of information transmission in the event of failure of one of the outputs. In addition, each module is equipped with an alarm contact that closes in the event of a malfunction.
Customer benefits
The HMT-HYD equipment developed for EDF Hydro is used to transmit information for monitoring and protecting hydraulic structures.
The IFOTEC solution perfectly met the requirements of high operating safety :
- Optimisation of system operating safety
- MTBF of products over 25 years
- Many internal functions are redundant or mutually controlled
