Only Rockwell could provide the AI automation solution PVO-Vesivoima needed in their hydroelectric plants

PVO-Vesivoima and the University of Oulu have developed the world's most advanced turbine regulator, enabled by technology utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning from Rockwell Automation. With PVO-Vesivoima's solution, the electricity production of hydropower plants can be regulated significantly more accurately than before. The AI solution for power industry automation by Rockwell was provided by Klinkmann Automation.

The new Rockwell solution enables PVO-Vesivoima to regulate the turbines with the help of AI. To goal was to operate the hydroelectric power plants more effectively, ensuring fast communication with the control logic. The result is improved operational and usage reliability in the power plants by enhancing the regulation of turbine blades. Additionally, the level of cybersecurity is improved in critical infrastructures like power plants.

"The computing module was a perfect fit for the purpose"

After searching for the right solution, the suitable one was eventually found: the Allen Bradley Compute Module for AI applications, which can be installed directly in the same rack with the PLC controller. It was an excellent fit for hydroelectric power plants.

Instead of an industrial PC, the turbine regulator runs via the computing module, and the module communicates directly with the logic used in plant automation through the backplane, allowing data based AI generations.

- I benchmarked all the automation companies, and no one else had a solution for this except Rockwell. We were able to implement all the desired functions in a solution compatible with the Linux environment," says automation expert Tommi Hansen-Haug from PVO-Vesivoima.

PVO-Vesivoima is a pioneer in hydropower technology

A new type of turbine regulator was needed because the transmission system operator Fingrid has introduced new criteria for power plants to participate in the so-called reserve market.

The changed requirements regarding reserve market require continuous responsiveness from hydropower plant machinery to maintain the stability of the power grid's frequency. Electricity production must be adjusted to match electricity consumption in real time.

The new artificial intelligence  system also optimizes the produced energy and optimizes maintenance.

PVO-Vesivoima applied for a patent for the turbine governor in March this year. According to large article in Tekniikka ja Talous magazine, PVO-Vesivoima is the only Nordic energy company that has so far met the tightened turbine regulation requirements set by transmission system operators.

Operational reliability ensured even in the most unexpected situations

The critical equipment for power generation must function in all situations. Energy companies must also prepare for cyberattacks.

- An industrial PC would not have been reliable enough for this critical use case from a cybersecurity standpoint, so Rockwell's solution proved to be effective. The computing module is not connected to any network except when making changes to the module’s programming, says Hansen-Haug.

The customer received a flexible trial period

The testing phase was carried out in the spring of 2024, and the deployment will begin in the fall. The solution was piloted at PVO-Vesivoima's Kierikki hydroelectric power plant, located on the Iijoki River in Oulu.

- The goal is that the solution could later be used in all 18 of PVO-Vesivoima's power plant units, Tommi Hansen-Haug explains.

Hansen-Haug appreciates that PVO-Vesivoima received an extended return period from Klinkmann Automation to test the new Rockwell Automation technology. This allowed him to better evaluate its functionality and suitability for the project.

- It was a very nice gesture from Klinkmann Automation, and I also received technical support when I needed it from their technical expert, Jani Pakisjärvi.

Pohjolan Voima - the leading hydropower corporate

Pohjolan Voima is one of Finland's largest energy companies, producing over 20% of Finland's electricity. The group generates electricity and heat for its shareholders, which include domestic industrial and energy companies, through hydro, thermal, and nuclear power.

PVO-Vesivoima owns eight hydroelectric power plants with a total of 18 power plant units. In addition to its own plants, the entire Pohjolan Voima group includes 18 power plants, four of which are partly owned hydroelectric plants, five thermal power plants, and the Olkiluoto nuclear power plant.

Lue lisää:

Pohjolan Voima's press release (in Finnish)

Tekniikka ja talous magazine's article (in Finnish, requires login)