PNNL

Abstract

Hydropower stands as the world's leading source of renewable electricity, with hydropower plants spanning the globe. A typical hydropower plant comprises essential components including the governor, excitation system, generator, thrust bearing, hydraulic turbine, transformer, main lead, metering and control devices, tailwater depression system, and dissolved oxygen monitoring. Each of these components undergoes various measures and monitoring procedures. These measurements are collected through a diverse array of systems, encompassing standalone sensors, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and data acquisition and integration platforms like OSI/PI. The data obtained from these measurements is frequently stored within the plant's data management platform, and numerous institutions employ cloud-based archival systems for this purpose. Notable examples include the Hydropower Research Institution (HRI), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and the Columbia River Data Access in Real Time (DART) system. Object Modeling serves as a comprehensive framework for designing information systems, with a primary focus on objects, their actions, and the messages exchanged to trigger these actions. It distinguishes itself from network modeling, data modeling, and process modeling in several key aspects. In Object Modeling, the primary emphasis lies in understanding the actions taken in response to information, the constituent objects shaping the system, the actions they execute, and the communication channels through which they exchange information. Conversely, network modeling delves into the specifics of where, when, and the volume of data transfer. Data modeling, on the other hand, hones in on the nature of the information itself and its destinations, while process modeling concerns itself with the mechanics of how and when data is transported. Object Modeling originated primarily as a tool for developing object-oriented systems and supporting object-oriented programming. It primarily characterizes the static structural elements within the system. The Object Modeling Technique is favored for its simplicity in both depiction and application, making it a logical choice for connecting physical hydropower plants to Digital Twin technology. It excels in recognizing objects and their interrelationships, identifying class attributes, and delineating their functions. Dynamic Modeling, within this framework, elucidates how objects respond to events, while Functional Modeling outlines the processes executed within objects and how data undergoes transformations during inter-object transfers. Object Modeling has found wide-ranging applications, spanning sectors such as telecommunications, transportation, and more.