What is the Di-Hydro Visualisation Tool?

The Di-Hydro Visualisation Tool is an application, designed by partner Accent Pro 2000 to provide hydropower plant (HPP) operators with real-time monitoring capabilities. Specifically, the tool integrates clear graphical representations, automated alerts, voice warnings, and interactive parameter management. The integration of these features ensures efficient supervision of operational parameters. The application uses Python and its graphical libraries: Tkinter for the interface and enhanced with matplotlib and pandas. Moreover,  it runs as lightweight executable application connected to the control room database. Using large TV screens as display, the solution ensures operators can visualise current values, pre-alerts, alerts, and tendencies from up to ten meters away, offering an accessible and cost-effective alternative to SCADA systems.

The VT is a client-side application that runs local visualisation executable and communicates with a lightweight Flask test/data gateway (enabling CORS where necessary). In total, the reference hardware consists of a PC, large TV display, UPS, an Air-Mouse for motion control, and a lockable on-wheels frame for easy deployment.

Fig.1: Dashboard with Analytics for Digital Twin data Main Menu Section

How does the Di-Hydro Visualisation Tool collect the data?

The Di-Hydro Visualisation Tool collects HPP data from different sources:

• Local plant telemetry (SCADA/PLC): On-site PLC tags (e.g., temperature, voltage, current, RPM, exciter values) collect data and are polled/streamed into the local gateway. Then, the Visualisation Tool shows the data in Turbine and Main Status panels. The Visualisation Tool supports site specific tag mappings, so deep recoding is not necessary when deploying the Tool at new plants.
• Hydro-meteorological forecasts: Inflow and reservoir forecasts feed into the system to inform gate/turbine scheduling and risk anticipation.
• Water quality & environmental sensors: Streams from partners carry turbidity, dissolved oxygen, sediment load and biodiversity indices. These feed a dedicated Water Quality view and can be combined with Digital Twin outputs for simulation.

All inputs are normalised and annotated with provenance before rendering. As a result, this ensures traceability and confidence estimation for HPP operator decisions.

Fig.2: Maintenance Schedule Interface

Empowering HPP Operators with Insights

In essence, the Di-Hydro Visualisation Tool bridges the gap between complex data streams and actionable plant management. By centralising real-time machinery telemetry, weather forecasts, and environmental metrics into one interface, it empowers hydropower operators to move from reactive troubleshooting to proactive risk management. With its cost-effective setup, clear visual and audio alerts, and easy integration with new or existing infrastructure, the tool ensures that operators have clear, reliable insights to run the plants safely and efficiently.

Want to see more of how Di-Hydro is contributing to hydropower innovation? Follow us on LinkedIn, bookmark our website to stay up-to-date with our latest activities! Also, don’t miss out on our Di-Hydro Podcast series, where we break down what we do in Di-Hydro.

Authors: Theodor-Adrian Netculescu, Software Developer in AP2K, Alessandro Tedeschi Gallo – DBL