Project objectives the developed virtual sensor digital twin (VS-DT) will use existing instrumentation predict rotor rim displacement that has been measured using non-standard instrumentation

The VS-DT will apply machine learning techniques which have been successfully applied to gas turbines to create a synthetic sensor with +/-5% accuracy. The end goal of this project is to generalize, automate, and implement rotor rim displacement predictions using VS-DT for hydropower plants and to introduce advanced monitoring technologies as a launchpad for additional fleet modernization. The developed VS-DT will seek to use existing instrumentation, such as air-GAP sensors, shaft rotational speed, generator temperature, and generator shaft vibration. This will be coupled with machine learning techniques which have been successfully applied to gas turbines to create a synthetic sensor with +/-5% accuracy. Potential impact successful development of a hydropower VS-DT would result in significant improvement of the monitoring and reliability of hydropower plants. While turbine logic has developed and deployed digital twins for gas turbine assets on a commercial basis, the disparity of hydropower amongst plants' design and instrumentation creates a risk of entry without an existing proof-of-deployment (because IT is more difficult to create a reference model that can be broadly applied). DOE funding provides the resources necessary for this technological development and DE-risking activity. Major participants the project team comprises turbine logic, savannah state university, and the electric power research institute (epri). Turbine logic is a small business focused on providing products and services to the energy industry that improve performance, reliability, and sustainability. Epri is the world's preeminent independent, non-profit energy research and development organization, with offices around the world. Savannah state university develops productive members of a global society through high quality instruction, scholarship, research, service and community involvement. Community benefits plan commitment and goals the team will actively engage the savannah community through: • hosting a hydropower industry forum with guest speakers form government, industry, and academia to expose career and research opportunities in hydropower. • an industry review day will be held to allow direct engagement with student researchers participating on this project.