Today, our blog hosts a brief interview with Przemysław Janik, project manager and researcher of Tauron Ekoenergia (TEE).
Przemysław, welcome. We are happy to host you in the #meet the D-HYDROFLEX team blog series. You are with us today, representing Tauron Ekoenergia, one of the HPP owners that support the D-HYDROFLEX research and innovation project.
Q: Would you like to introduce yourself and your expertise to our readers?
A: Hello. Yes, of course. My name is Przemysław Janik and I’m collaborating with Tauron Ekoenergia sp. z o.o. – TEE as a researcher. I’m also working as an associated professor at the Wroclaw University of Technology PWR, where I obtained my PhD and DSc in electrical engineering. In TEE we work on research and development projects related to renewable power generation from water wind and solar resources. TEE cooperates also with a star-up on a project related to PV system optimization. Additionally, we develop energy storage systems supporting green energy generation. I’m supporting the research activities and particularly in D-HYDROFLEX I’m serving as a project manager.
Q: Could you describe your company’s role on the project?
A: TEE is the owner and operator of the RoR power plant Wały Śląskie. Our role is to build a digital twin of the power plant and to provide a demo side.
Q: Please tell us more about why we need to think out of the box regarding the digital twin?
A: Digital twins are very helpful in analysis and optimization of many modern and sophisticated systems, e.g. machinery, vehicles, robots etc. We need a digital twin of the hydro power plant to ensure robust operation, avoid sudden outages, and optimize power production efficiency. The anticipated digital twin should depict the real plant and should be feed with real measured data. Consequently it should be possible to test various scenarios without any interference with the real plant. Additionally, predictive maintenance features are also in the focus of research activities. Digital twins of HPP’s are not common and need creativity and out of the box thinking during design and research.
Q: What are the main challenges of your work on the project, and how do you tackle them?
A: The hydropower plant Wały Śląskie was built in 1958. It is a challenge to get all technical details of the construction – the existing documentation is not revealing all the details the way we want it. Sometimes additional measurements and scans are needed. The digitalization of the demo side is also a challenge. The project addresses critical infrastructure and there are numerous rules and internal procedures regulating architecture of It solutions and access to HPP data. Technical data, HPP details, and operational knowledge are crucial for our partner, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology (PWR) vigorously participating in the creation of the digital twin.Q: What are your expectations from the project? What impact will the project have on the energy ecosystem?A: The project is an excellent opportunity for sharing and exchanging experiences with other partners operating hydroelectric power plants. Crucial is the international aspect of the cooperation. We anticipate that the digital twin will boost the digitalization of old power plants, will help to optimize energy production, to increase efficiency, and finally, it will contribute to HPP operation safety through the predictive maintenance features.
Przemysław, it was a pleasure having you with us today!
Another # meet the D-HYDROFLEX team blog story is completed. Stay tuned to learn more on our workforce team!
Learn more on D-HYDROFLEX project here. Please subscribe here to our newsletter to keep updated on our activities.
