ABSTRACT
Dams are not only extraordinary engineering structures; they play a crucial role in the management of our most important vital resource, namely water. Currently, the expression “energy crisis” is familiar even to non-professionals. This is an important issue that plant operators are confronted with. A shutdown of the plant or lowering of the reservoir for extraordinary maintenance or to mitigate water scarcity, leads to major economic losses, both for dam owners, and homeowners, who are facing rising electricity costs. Is there a better way to adequately manage dams and appurtenant structures? The key lies in digitalization. Digitalization becomes more and more important to operate and maintain the facilities efficiently and adequately. The implementation of digital models allows the plant owner to undertake appropriate and faster business decisions and, therefore, to proactively manage the risks associated with aging dams’ infrastructure without affecting their operation. Digital models allow to overcome a common problem in dam monitoring: the dispersion of a large part of data volumes in multiple archives. In this way, all monitoring data can be kept in a single platform and effectively and efficiently visualized. These models also make real-time monitoring possible, thanks to the implementation of remote sensors for monitoring. New technologies, along with deterministic predictive models, enrich the digital twin and create a more complete picture over time without impeding the plant operation. It enables proper life cycle management of the structure, resulting in an exponential rise in the model’s efficacy over time.
