| Refurbishment


its operational lifespan and enhance efficiency. In 2019, ESB collaborated with Akselos, a Swiss software company specialising in engineering simulations, to develop a structural digital twin of the power station. Through this partnership, comprehensive data integration, predictive maintenance, and facility optimization was collectively achieved. This pioneering project demonstrates how digital twin technology can revitalise ageing hydropower facilities, ensuring their continued contribution to sustainable energy generation.


Challenges While digital twin technology offers significant benefits


for hydropower operations, its implementation comes with notable challenges. These hurdles range from high initial costs to data integration complexities and cybersecurity concerns. Addressing these challenges is critical to ensuring the successful adoption and long- term effectiveness of digital twins in the hydropower sector.


Up-front cost


One of the primary barriers is the high cost of development and deployment. Building a digital twin requires substantial investment in sensors, cloud computing infrastructure, and advanced analytics software. For older hydropower plants, retrofitting existing systems with the necessary digital infrastructure can be both time-consuming and costly. That being said, you can soften the blow by adopting phased implementation strategies and leveraging government incentives or industry partnerships.


Data quality Data integration and accuracy also pose significant


hurdles. Hydropower facilities generate vast amounts of operational data, often stored across different systems and formats. Ensuring seamless integration of real-time sensor data, historical records, and predictive models requires proper data management solutions. Inconsistencies in data quality can lead to inaccurate digital twin simulations, which can reduce their reliability. Standardising data formats and employing AI-driven data validation techniques can help bypass some of these issues.


Employee push-back Lastly, organisational resistance and workforce


training can slow down adoption. Implementing digital twin technology often requires significant shifts in operational workflows, which may face resistance from some of your personnel accustomed to traditional monitoring methods. Providing specialised training and demonstrating the tangible benefits of digital twins can help ease this transition and ensure widespread acceptance over time.


Advancing sustainable hydropower As the global energy sector shifts toward sustainability,


digital twin technology is playing a pivotal role in enhancing the environmental efficiency of hydropower plants. By providing real-time insights and predictive analytics, digital twins help minimise ecological impact, optimise water resource management, and support the transition to more resilient, low-carbon energy systems.


Improving efficiency


One of the most significant contributions of digital twins to sustainability is improving water efficiency. Hydropower relies on precise water flow management to balance energy production with environmental conservation. Digital twins simulate various flow conditions, enabling operators to make data-driven decisions that maximise power generation while maintaining river health and aquatic ecosystems. Advanced models can also predict the impact of climate change on water availability, allowing your facility to adapt to changing hydrological patterns.


Carbon footprint reduction Reducing carbon footprint and operational waste


is another key advantage. By enabling predictive maintenance and real-time monitoring, digital twins help hydropower plants operate at peak efficiency, reducing energy losses and minimising the need for frequent equipment replacements. This not only extends the lifespan of critical components but also lowers the environmental cost of material production and disposal, which is generally overlooked.


Environmental compliance and


monitoring Finally, digital twin technology plays a role in enhancing regulatory compliance and environmental monitoring. By continuously tracking water usage, sedimentation rates, and biodiversity impact, hydropower operators can ensure adherence to environmental regulations and respond proactively to potential ecological concerns. This level of transparency also supports collaboration with environmental agencies and local communities, fostering more sustainable hydropower development.


Norwegian case study Norwegian energy company Skagerak Kraft,


sought to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of its Gunnåi hydropower plant. In collaboration with EDRMedeso, they implemented digital twin technology to optimise production and maintenance processes. The completion of this project allowed Skagerak Kraft to stay on top of maintenance, optimize their plant, and improve overall efficiency. To highlight some of the information covered in this section, the improved efficiency and reduced downtime contributed to a more sustainable operation, aligning with environmental goals and reducing the plant’s carbon footprint.


Future outlook Digital twin technology is revolutionising


hydropower by optimizing efficiency, reducing downtime, and enhancing sustainability through real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and advanced simulations. While challenges like high implementation costs and data integration remain, advancements in AI, IoT, and cloud computing will make digital twins more accessible to a wide range of users. As the energy sector shifts towards sustainability, digital twins will play a crucial role in further improving water resource management, minimising carbon footprints, and integrating renewable energy sources.


www.waterpowermagazine.com | April 2025 | 31


Author information


Roger Liucci is a senior BIM Specialist at Microsol Resources, an Autodesk Gold Partner in their New York office. He has provided BIM implementation, support, and training to architectural, engineering, and construction firms for over 30 years


Below: Providing specialised training and demonstrating the tangible benefits of digital twins can help ensure widespread employee acceptance over time


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