Hydroelectric Energy production, storage, and transport facilities are rightfully designated as Critical Infrastructure Resources. Effective and efficient management requires real-time measurement data from myriad systems. Integration of Measurement and Management tools, typically at the enterprise level, provides for total “Smart Hydro”, an integration of interrelated functions and facilities monitored and managed by a Fiber Optic Sensing System. A few examples of the most common types of individual resource management packages and required input data can be itemized by the different segments making up the overall critical infrastructure elements:

1. Hydroelectric Generators on dam and other water & or steam-powered turbine assembles– dynamic monitoring of temperature and vibration for fire detection, turbine condition, and load management.
2. Medium- and High Voltage bus bar and cable temperature monitoring for load characterization and detection of hot spots due to joint wear or malfunction.
3. Switching transformer temperature monitoring – load and fire detection.
4. Substation monitoring – load management and fire detection.
5. Temperature and Acoustic monitoring of underground MV and HV power cables transmission and distribution (LHD & TPI-3rd party Interference).

Distributed Fiber Optic Sensing (DFOS) technology offers ideal measurement, detection, and reporting capabilities to meet these requirements, while providing additional monitoring and management capabilities.