Cc2025 logo

October 14 -17, 2025 • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Register Now
HOSTED BY:
Ecre logo

NEW! Full Detailed Program Is Now Live!

View Full Detailed Program >

Operations and Maintenance – posters

CLEAN CURRENTS 2025

Time: 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM

Day: 10/16/2025

Room Number: Waterpower Learning Center

New: Add Sessions to Your Calendar

Interested in this session? Click "Add to My Calendar" and save specific sessions so you don’t miss out. Available for Mobile and Desktop


Presentations are:

Hydro-generator condition-based monitoring system modernization, presented by Aaron Doyle, Iris Power - Qualitrol

Innovative Ultrasonic Vibration Monitoring for Hydropower Applications, presented by Francisco Kuljevan, EPRI

Details about each presentation and the speakers are below:

Hydro-generator condition-based monitoring system modernization
Presented by Aaron Doyle, Iris Power - Qualitrol


The foundation of a good condition-based monitoring system is the sensors, but the hallmark of an excellent system is one equipped with all the necessary sensing technologies to identify any potential failure mode. For example. most critical rotating machines are equipped with some sort of vibration monitoring system. This might typically consist of accelerometers measuring bearing seismic (absolute) motion and, or proximity probes measuring shaft with respect to bearing (relative) motion. In the case of large hydro-generators, air gap sensors measuring rotor to stator motion, as well as rotor and stator circularity and concentricity, should also be employed to provide additional diagnostic information. Furthermore, vibration monitoring of the stator core and the end-windings are actively being adopted on many utility generators while other specialized measurements such as partial discharge (PD) and rotor flux complete their monitoring needs. Finally, we should not discount the vital importance of monitoring basic operating condition measurements such as electrical quantities - namely voltages, currents, and unit active and reactive power – as well as temperatures, pressures and flow rates.

The biggest challenge remains, integrating and combining all this complex information into a format that is readily accessible by the necessary stakeholders and palatable for analysis by both subject matter experts and non-experts alike. Multiple examples and case studies will be provided to illustrate how modernized condition-based monitoring systems have allowed for the early detection of faults in hydro-generators, facilitating maintenance decision-making.

Innovative Ultrasonic Vibration Monitoring for Hydropower Applications
Presented by Francisco Kuljevan, EPRI


Vibration monitoring is a critical method for condition monitoring, often used to identify degradation causes, evaluate repair effectiveness, and perform online monitoring. Traditional sensors like accelerometers and strain gauges are effective when components are accessible. This study explores the use of ultrasonic vibration monitoring systems (UVMS) to monitor components within pressure boundaries. EPRI initiated this project in the nuclear sector, leveraging advances made for nuclear applications in reactors to develop and demonstrate a UVMS capable of monitoring vibrations without direct instrumentation on the component.

This system was benchmarked against traditional accelerometers. Following successful laboratory demonstrations, EPRI deployed the UVMS in a hydropower plant, continuously monitoring the turbine runner seal gap over three months. This deployment provided valuable insights and highlighted the potential for UVMS in both nuclear and hydropower applications, offering a cost-effective and less intrusive alternative for long-term condition monitoring.

Presenters

Image of Operations and Maintenance – posters
Aaron Doyle

Speaker

Technical Applications Specialist at Iris Power LP

Image of Operations and Maintenance – posters
Francisco Kuljevan

Speaker

Hydropower Generation Program Leader at EPRI - Electric Power Research Institute

< Back to Program
Cleancurrents2025 splashdatelockup trasparentbackground