Hydrocomm were asked to provide a solution for a site with a damaged head level signal cable resulting in a communication failure between the Hydro and the Intake. Without these signals the hydro scheme was unable to run at full capacity. Unfortunately the damage to the existing cable was not easily repairable, and a new cable run was not a viable option in this case, due to land being recently reinstated.

Having carried out a comprehensive site survey, we ascertained that with the right equipment a signal could be achieved via 4G (LTE) allowing high speed data comms with no fixed infrastructure required. Unfortunately no mains power was available, so any proposed solution would require a method of powering itself.

Based on these constraints, we then designed and constructed another of our bespoke solar powered assemblies specifically to meet the unique requirements of this site. A 300W solar panel, backed with 400Ah gel batteries, is used to power the 4-20mA loop for the head sensors, an IP CCTV camera, and the 4G (LTE) Communications solution. All of this equipment is commercial grade wide temperature tolerant, and is housed in an IP rated cabinet installed at the intake site.

Our specialist equipment takes the 4-20mA loop signal produced by the head level sensors and sends it over the multi-carrier 4G (LTE) connection to the Hydro powerhouse, where the signals are then converted back to 4-20mA. This means that from the point of view of the existing equipment, things are working again as if the original cable was still in place.

Redundancy on this installation is provided by utilising our multi-carrier network connection, and we also provide a failover data connection within the hydro powerhouse itself. This type of solution can also be provided with either direct microwave telemetry, LoRoWAN, or dedicated low frequency connections. Where there is no scope for any of these types of RF based data connection, we can install one of our high speed satellite based data streams in order to provide an internet connection as required.

An added bonus with this type of solution is the complete electrical isolation this unit provides. This means that any lightning strikes at the intake have no way of travelling down a signal cable to the hydro – a problem that affects many sites.