The importance of measuring water quality in the hydropower sector

Hydropower is obtained by transforming the kinetic and potential energy of water into electrical energy, through water infrastructures designed to maximize the use of this resource. A hydropower plant mainly consists of:

• Dam: a structure used for water storage and flow regulation. Its main characteristics include height, crest length, and the volume of material used in its construction.
• Reservoir: a storage area where water accumulates, whose capacity is expressed in terms of level and volume reached.
• Hydropower plant: a facility that houses turbines and electric generators responsible for energy production.

Hydropower plants are classified according to their generation capacity into large, medium, and small scale, as well as mini-hydropower, micro-hydropower, and pico-hydropower, ranging from over 100 MW to just a few watts.

Water degradation is one of the main impacts associated with hydropower facilities. Although this type of energy generation does not produce direct carbon emissions from fossil fuel combustion, it can generate various adverse environmental effects. The deterioration of water quality, both during its passage through dams and during its storage in reservoirs, represents a significant concern, as it negatively affects aquatic ecosystems and associated biodiversity.

In this context, water pollution is not limited solely to the presence of harmful chemical substances but also includes the introduction of any agent or form of energy that alters its natural conditions and causes damage to living organisms. It further encompasses any alteration that poses a risk to human health, interferes with economic activities such as fishing, or degrades the aquatic system. Water used in hydropower generation may be affected by various factors: the alteration of the natural flow caused by the dam, the formation of by-products in the reservoir, and the modification or redirection of water systems.

Currently, the implementation of advanced environmental monitoring systems makes it possible to obtain real-time data on the condition of water resources. Through sensors, measurement stations, and digital platforms, it is possible to detect changes in critical parameters such as temperature, pH, turbidity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and pollutants.

At Applus+, we create innovative systems that combine technology and software to control environmental impacts, such as AmbiensQ, a configurable platform that collects, processes, and displays environmental data in real time and historically from intelligent monitoring systems.

In a hydropower plant, the most used continuous monitoring systems include online multiparameter probes, which allow real-time measurement of variables such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and turbidity.

Additionally, automatic analyzers are used to detect nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates, as well as metals or hydrocarbons, enabling more detailed monitoring of potential contaminants.

AmbiensQ is a technological platform that enables real-time monitoring and management of environmental data.

In the context of a hydropower plant, AmbiensQ collects data from sensors and equipment (such as water quality, meteorological conditions, or noise levels), displays it in a visual interface, and facilitates its analysis to support decision-making.

In short, it acts as the “environmental monitoring brain” of the facility: it centralizes information, improves data traceability, and helps ensure regulatory compliance and efficient management.

As part of its environmental monitoring services, Applus+ also integrates the operation of meteorological stations, systems that measure and record atmospheric variables to analyze and predict phenomena such as storms, hurricanes, or droughts. They allow monitoring of temperature, humidity, wind, pressure, precipitation, and solar radiation.

Meteorological stations use various specialized sensors and devices, including:

• Barometer: measures atmospheric pressure.
• Thermometer: records ambient temperature, including maximum and minimum values.
• Relative humidity sensor: measures and records air humidity.
• Rain gauge: quantifies precipitation over a given period, usually in millimeters.
• Evaporimeter: measures the amount of water evaporated over a specific time interval.
• Anemometer: determines wind speed and direction.