Corps releases water resources information portal
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers offers an online Federal Support Toolbox to provide integrated water resources management at www.watertoolbox.us that is intended to allow federal agencies, states, interstate organizations, tribes, non-governmental agencies and international entities to access and share water resources information for their planning and management.
The toolbox is one of the validated outcomes of the Corps’ Building Strong Collaborative Relationships for a Sustainable Water Resources Future initiative. Discussions during this initiative validated the need for a nationwide “one-stop-shop” for water resources information to improve water resources management and to build capacity among water agencies nationally and internationally through information sharing and alignment of programs.
Participation in the data-sharing website is voluntary, and participating organizations sign partnership agreements for quality control of information. The general public may read all posted data but cannot enter or edit data.
Data available includes access to databases, tools and models; information on existing collaborations and partnerships; a searchable list of legislative resources; and more. A search for “hydropower” reveals 18 records of policies and guidance, resource details, best management practices and legislation.
“This toolbox will enable agencies to capitalize on existing knowledge and technology without the need to reinvent the wheel and to bring their resources together to find solutions that might not be achieved otherwise,” comments Steven L. Stockton, who is director of civil works for the Corps. “We believe that the Federal Support Toolbox is a new business model for governmental and non-governmental inter-organizational cooperation.”
Basler Electric offers guide for hydro generator protection
Basler Electric has released a revised version of its “Generator Protection Application Guide,” which the company developed to “simplify the process of selecting relays and relay systems to protect generators.”
Basler Electric used minimal protection as a baseline, then added additional protection for critical and complex applications. Each protective element is then described and “related to protecting against a variety of external or internal faults, or abnormal conditions,” giving users a better understanding of their role within the generator protection system.
The Highland, Ill.-based company has manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Mexico, China, and France.
– The guide can be downloaded for free at www.basler.com.
Book covers earthquake protection of nonstructural elements
The American Society of Civil Engineers announces availability of a new guide: Earthquake Protection of Building Equipment and Systems: Bridging the Implementation Gap.
This 416-page guide presents a framework for applying the latest earthquake engineering research to the nonstructural elements of individual building projects, concentrating on mechanical and electrical systems. Several case studies demonstrate a systems engineering approach to nonstructural design.
The authors provide an extensive survey of different methods for qualifying equipment and systems, including analysis, dynamic testing, earthquake experience data, and comparative assessment using combined methods.
The book is intended to provide a resource for engineers, architects, construction managers and building code officials in areas with seismic risks.
– The book costs $90 for ASCE members ($120 non-members) and can be ordered at http://www.asce.org/Product.aspx?id=2147487569&productid=180471282.
Workshops held on mitigating impacts of waterpower facilities
The Ontario Waterpower Association in Canada hosted two workshops in May that were focused on the Best Management Practices Guide for Mitigation of Impacts of Waterpower Facility Construction.
This guide was developed to provide practical and current best management practices that will assist proponents in determining how best to construct, rehabilitate or repair a waterpower facility in an environmentally responsible manner.
Almost 1,000 MW of waterpower potential is either in permitting and approvals stages or under construction in the province of Ontario. OWA has established a target of adding an additional 3,000 MW to the supply mix.
Genivar and Natural Resource Solutions Inc. developed the guide with input from other industry experts, and it was released in January 2013. The guide covers best practices categorized by activity, including civil construction, vegetation management, in-water work and more.
Schweitzer personnel receive IEEE technical paper award
A technical paper entitled “Detecting Broken Rotor Bars with Zero-Setting Protection” received the 2012 Prize Paper Award for the Power Systems Protection Committee of the IEEE Industry Applications Society.
The paper was presented at the 2012 IEEE/IAS 48th Industrial and Commercial Power Systems Technical Conference, which was held in May in Stone Mountain, Ga. Authors of the paper are Carlos Pezzani, Pablo Donolo and Guillermo Bossio from the Universidad Nacional de Rio Cuarto and Marcos Donolo, Armando Guzman and Stanley Zocholl from Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc.
The authors introduce the results of a detailed mathematical model of an induction motor with broken rotor bars and describe a protective relay element that detects broken bars in an operating motor. The paper also shows testing results from actual motors with broken bars.
The paper can be read online at www.selinc.com/p170.
Kongsberg releases new device for underwater inspections
Technology manufacturer Kongsberg Mesotech Limited has released an ultra-high-resolution sonar head with applications in underwater inspections of hydro projects and dams.
Called the 1171 Series Multi-Frequency High Resolution Fan/Cone Sonar Head, the device’s cone and fan transducer settings feature multiple frequencies, allowing the user to best tailor the unit for their needs, the company says.
Kongsberg Mesotech, a subsidiary of Kongsberg Marine, has also released a new version of its MS 1000 processing software, which supports all multi-frequency sonar heads with selectable and tunable frequencies.
Alden personnel recognized for contribution to ANSI/HI standard
George Hecker, Andrew Johansson and Mizan Rashid have been recognized by the Hydraulic Institute of the American National Standards Institute for their technical leadership and contributions in the creation of an ANSI/HI standard.
Hecker, Johansson and Rashid are members of the committee that developed Rotodynamic Pumps for Pump Intake Design, ANSI/HI 9.8-2012. This new version of a standard originally released in 1998 represents a significant update that stipulates when the pump rated flow should be used as the design flow and identifies modes of operation that dictate when the maximum rate of flow shall be used for pump intake design.
All three work for Alden Research Laboratory Inc. Hecker is senior technical fellow, Johansson is director of hydraulic modeling, and Rashid is director, engineering and modeling services. Alden is a standards partner of HI.
HI is an association of pump producers and suppliers in North America. Alden Research Laboratory provides engineering, physical and computational flow modeling, and environmental and flow meter calibration services.
– This and other HI standards are available for purchase on the Internet at estore.pumps.org or by calling (1) 973-267-9700, extension 118.
Saab Seaeye opens Houston office
Hydro technology manufacturer Saab Seaeye has expanded its international presence with the opening of a new office in Houston, the England-based company announces.
The new office reflects Saab Seaeye’s growing interests in America – particularly in areas around the Gulf of Mexico – and will allow the company to offer better technical service support.
“The move places us in an ideal position to support sales and service in the region,” said Saab Seaeye Director Matt Bates. “Our distributors around the world already offer a range of support services to their regions, and Houston is a natural service hub for the Americas.”
Saab Seaeye’s remotely operated vehicles allow hydropower project and dam owners and operators to inspect underwater areas that might be otherwise inaccessible, such as the water conveyance tunnel at the 1,000-MW Kemano hydro plant.
Saab’s Seaeye units are offered in 11 variants, each with differing capabilities and applications.
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