# Analyzing a 35-Meter Dam Surge Tank with the Elios 3 in Canada
## Benefits in a Nutshell
### Safety
Using the Elios 3 allowed the team to inspect and plan maintenance for a 35-meter high surge tank without ever stepping foot inside. This meant avoiding the inherent risks associated with working at such heights, ensuring everyone stayed safe while still gathering essential data.
### Efficiency
A mere 7-minute drone flight provided all the data needed to plan rope access routes. Instead of relying on guesswork or estimates, the team could proceed with confidence, significantly reducing the time spent on planning and preparation.
### Accuracy
The Elios 3 flight revealed discrepancies between the actual construction and the original design plans. As a result, the site records were updated, and flow calculations were adjusted to align with real-world data, ensuring accuracy in future operations.
### Collaboration
Osprey Integrity collaborated closely with rope access specialists to devise the safest approach for maintenance work. This teamwork not only kept the rope specialists safer but also accelerated progress by leveraging precise data collection.
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Hydroelectric power remains a highly regulated industry, where infrastructure is constructed with the best technology available at the time. However, as advancements continue, it becomes necessary to revisit and modernize these facilities. The Taltson Hydro Plant, located along the 290-meter-long Taltson River in Canada's Northwest Territories, exemplifies this need. Currently operating one hydroelectric power station, the plant has been temporarily shut down for six months to undergo extensive refurbishments. These include replacing the turbine and generator to boost the plant’s maximum capacity, as well as addressing any required repairs.
## Planning Future Upgrades with Drone Mapping
One crucial aspect of the Taltson Hydro Plant's refurbishment involves inspecting every component of the water conveyance system, especially the penstock surge tank. This tank plays a vital role as a damper during turbine operation, so understanding its flow capacity and structural integrity is imperative. Standing at 35 meters tall, the surge tank poses significant challenges for safe internal access.
Data collection became integral to this process. A diverse team of experts was assembled to gather comprehensive data both within and around the plant. Mark Horton from Dimension Consulting joined forces with Yannick Methot of GTA Hydro, the owner’s engineer, to assess and plan upgrades. Mark Nevison, a rope access specialist from Crux Trades, led the high-altitude access efforts.
Nevison suggested reaching out to Osprey Integrity, drone service providers renowned for their expertise. Their primary interest lay in the surge tank, whose towering height made traditional methods impractical. By employing drones, they aimed to map the interior and identify optimal access points for subsequent maintenance tasks.
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## Integrating Drones into Inspection Workflows
Courtland Penk, President of Osprey Integrity, traveled to the remote location—accessible only via small planes due to its isolation. To achieve thorough inspections, both visual and LiDAR imagery were required. Recognizing the Elios 3 drone’s versatility, they deemed it perfect for navigating tight spaces like penstocks and surge tanks. The mission focused on examining the orifice of the surge tower and extending the exploration deeper into the penstock.
With the flight meticulously planned and the appropriate equipment selected, the team executed the drone flight. The entire process took just seven minutes to capture all necessary data inside the 35-meter surge tank. Following this, the drone ventured further into the structure, analyzing T-joints and collecting additional visual and LiDAR data.
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## Results of the Elios 3 Surge Tank Inspection
The data obtained from the Elios 3 flight proved invaluable. Initial processing with tools like CloudCompare and Metashape yielded detailed 3D scans, which were shared with external contractors for further analysis. These scans facilitated Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations on the orifice and T-joint losses, crucial for optimizing future surge tank operations.
Mark Nevison and his team leveraged the drone inspection to strategize rope access procedures. They discovered weakened structures intended for securing ropes due to rust damage and missing fasteners, preventing potential accidents. Furthermore, the T-joint differed from documented designs, providing critical insights for recalibrating pressure capacity calculations post-upgrade.
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## Impact of Drone Inspections
This collaborative effort underscored the synergy between drone inspections and traditional rope access methods. Courtland’s team not only exceeded expectations but also streamlined the refurbishment timeline. Once completed, the Taltson Hydro Plant will resume operations equipped with a new unit capable of increasing capacity from 18 MW to 22 MW.
For those eager to learn more about the Elios 3 and its innovative surveying payloads, additional resources await discovery.
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*Note: Watch the accompanying video showcasing the Elios 3's LiDAR and visual scans inside the surge tank for a firsthand glimpse of this groundbreaking technology in action.*
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