The Venezuelan Government has selected Saab Seaeye’s Falcon remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for vital inspection work and detailed survey of infrastructure at the 10,200MW Guri hydroelectric power plant and associated turbines.
The selection is a part of the 30-year life extension project at the power plant, which was built 100km upstream of the Caroni River in Necuima Canyon in Orinoco, in 1960s.
Formulated by underwater systems supplier Symphotic TIIm and MB Services, the Falcon will be integrated with inteder Imagenex 881A-GS sonar and Applied Acoustic’s Easytrak positional location system to conduct a detailed survey of infrastructure at Guri Dam.
Symphotic TII operations manager Jack Roberts said the two systems allow the Falcon to scan images even when it swims around in any rotation.
"This particular set-up has never before been adopted for a Falcon and has the added advantage of being simple to integrate in the field at the kind of remote location found at a hydro installation."
Featuring intelligent control architecture to enable integration of complex systems, the Falcon ROV will also be fitted with Lyyn real-time video enhancement system to enable self-optimization of the image at 25 times a second, allowing the operators to capture clear pictures.
The five thrusters of the ROV will allow for maneuverability and steadiness in unstable water.
The Venezuelan system will feature special trailer and winch supplied by MB Services for working at difficult to access locations.
Image: The Saab Seaeye Falcon ROV system. Photo: courtesy of SAAB SEAEYE LTD.