AI & digital twins |
AI solutions for risk management
With safety and security challenges growing for hydropower facilities, Synectics’ Synergy DETECT offers a flexible, AI-powered surveillance system designed to improve worker protection, monitor infrastructure, and detect potential risks in real time
AS THREATS TO CRITICAL infrastructure grow, from safety hazards to security breaches, the role of cutting-edge technology in mitigating these risks has never been more vital. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by hydropower operators, Synectics has launched Synergy DETECT, an AI-driven video analytics suite designed to enhance safety, security, and operational efficiency. This innovative technology, part of the broader
Above: Jon Squires, Head of Tech Partnerships and Enterprise Solutions
Synergy platform, delivers tailored surveillance solutions to protect critical assets like dams and turbine facilities while ensuring worker safety. By leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to offer tools such as PPE Detection and Fall Detection, Synergy DETECT provides real-time alerts and actionable insights that help operators address site-specific risks.
Tailored solutions for hydropower
facilities Hydropower facilities present unique challenges due to their high-risk environments. Workers are often exposed to hazards such as turbine blades, fast-moving water, and remote worksites where quick response times are essential. Synergy DETECT has been developed with these challenges in mind.
Below: Synergy DETECT
“Synergy DETECT is designed so organizations can select and activate the AI-based video analytics tools most relevant to them,” explains Jon Squires, Head of Tech Partnerships and Enterprise Solutions at Synectics. “For hydropower infrastructure, tools like PPE Detection and Fall Detection can significantly improve worker safety while addressing the unique demands of the industry.” PPE Detection, for instance, ensures compliance with safety protocols by automatically flagging situations where workers appear in designated high-risk zones without helmets or high-visibility vests. These alerts allow central teams to respond immediately, reducing the likelihood of serious injuries or fatalities. Similarly, Fall Detection identifies falling movements or prolonged inactivity, alerting operators to potential emergencies involving lone workers in isolated areas.
Streamlined integration One of the standout features of Synergy DETECT
is its seamless integration with existing surveillance infrastructure. The platform’s open architecture allows it to work with virtually any camera or device already in place at hydropower sites. “With Synergy DETECT hardware installed, users can identify cameras in their network to enable AI-powered risk detection tools,” says Squires. “This flexibility ensures that the system can adapt to varied layouts and operational needs, making it suitable for large-scale dams as well as smaller, remote facilities.” The adaptability of the platform extends to its configuration options. Surveillance operators can define zone sizes, sensitivity thresholds, motion tolerances, and alert settings to tailor the system for site-specific requirements. This level of customization ensures that operators can maximize the value of their investment while addressing evolving operational demands.
crisis response Safety compliance is a top priority for hydropower operators. Tools like Hazardous Area Detection complement PPE and Fall Detection by alerting operators when unauthorized personnel or vehicles enter restricted zones. This is particularly useful in environments surrounding dangerous equipment or substances.
Enhancing safety protocols and 18 | January 2025 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
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