Media Releases

• Hydropower plant operators can now recognize, understand and interpret sound anomalies
• Modular packages for individual requirements
• Cloud-based application and highest security standards
• Landsvirkjun and Voith launch joint pilot project in Iceland

Germany/USA. Attendees of HydroVision International 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina June 26 to 28 received a hands-on look at Voith’s OnCare.Acoustic intelligent sound analysis system. As one of the world’s largest hydropower events, it was the ideal platform to introduce the system (formerly known as HyGuard) to the market. OnCare.Acoustic supports hydropower plant operators in discovering potentially dangerous incidents by detecting sound anomalies, classifying them into warnings and alarms as well as allocating them to specific equipment. This enables the derivation of information for smarter recommendations and decisions for maintenance and operations.

“The risk of major accidents and plant unreliability as well unavailability that urges power plant operators to take action has increased,” stated Uwe Wehnhardt, CEO Voith Hydro. “With OnCare.Acoustic, Voith delivers critical actionable information for intelligent hydropower to overcome the challenges through value-driven intelligence as well as to optimize availability and the use of resources.”

OnCare.Acoustic is based on Voith’s Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platform OnCumulus and can be extended with more functionality by adding OnCumulus.Suite to the package.

Hydropower plants today are already highly automated. As hydropower plants are often located in remote areas, problems might remain undetected and can cause severe damage to equipment. Many hydropower plants are unmanned, relying on regular service cycles and monitoring systems to discover any anomalies that could lead to dangerous incidents. Without monitoring systems and advanced analytics, hydropower plant operators risk possibly dangerous conditions, especially with equipment that has no condition monitoring or is not continuously surveilled.

Modular packages for individual requirements
The modular OnCare.Acoustic offering supports hydropower plant operators in becoming aware and discovering potentially dangerous incidents by detecting sound anomalies. The sound monitoring system contributes to ensuring the reliability, availability and safety of hydropower plants. It is equipped with an acoustic sensor and a BlueBox for connecting data to the cloud. The offering includes different modular packages.

Plant operators are informed about suspicious, detected sounds which are already pre-classified in warnings and alarms. This supports customers in deciding whether or not they need to take action. By classifying the events and allocating them to specific equipment, plant operators gain further insights into their hydropower plant which increases the chance of identifying possible dangerous conditions ahead of other alarms.

Additionally, Voith experts offer consulting services which include the analysis of inspection and maintenance reports in combination with operation and condition monitoring data. As a result, customers receive recommendations on how to improve their maintenance and operations.

Cloud-based application and highest security Standards
OnCare.Acoustic is based on the IIoT platform OnCumulus, offering the capability of benefiting from bridging information from different sources and applications. The acoustic monitoring system meets the highest industry standards and best practices in regards to privacy, security and compliance. The cybersecurity experts at Voith ensure end-to-end security at all times.

Landsvirkjun and Voith launch joint pilot project in Iceland
Landsvirkjun, the National Power Company of Iceland, and Voith have launched a joint pilot project on intelligent noise analysis in hydropower plants. Voith is installing the OnCare.Acoustic monitoring system in the Budarhals hydropower plant in Iceland that detects sound anomalies which deviate from normal conditions to prevent potential shutdowns. In addition, the continuous analysis of machine data is designed to facilitate an optimized mode of operation and the intelligent scheduling of maintenance work. The system is set to go into operation by the end of 2018.

• More information about Voith OnCare.Acoustic:
  http://voith.com/corp-en/products-services/automation-digital-solutions/oncare.html
• Media Release on project with Landsvirkjun:
  The hydropower plant’s “ear”

About the Company
Voith Hydro is a leading full-line supplier and trusted partner for equipping hydropower plants. The Voith Group Division develops customized, long-term solutions and services for large and small hydro plants all over the world. Its portfolio of products and services covers the entire life cycle and all major components for large and small hydro plants, from generators, turbines, pumps and automation systems, right through to spare parts, maintenance and training services, and digital solutions for intelligent hydropower.

Voith Digital Solutions bundles Voith’s long-standing automation and IT expertise with its know-how in the fields of water power, paper machines and drive engineering. This new Group Division works with new and existing customers to develop innovative products and services by driving IIoT innovations and decisively shaping the digitalization process in the field of machine and plant engineering.

Voith is a global technology group. With its broad portfolio of systems, products, services and digital applications, Voith sets standards in the markets of energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials and transport & automotive. Founded in 1867, Voith today has more than 19,000 employees, sales of €4.2 billion and locations in over 60 countries worldwide and is thus one of the largest family-owned companies in Europe.