Foreword?The application@ design concepts@ and implementation of computer-based control systems for hydroelectric power plant automation is addressed. Functional capabilities@ performance requirements@ interface requirements@ hardware considerations@ and operator training are discussed. Recommendations for system testing and acceptance are provided@ and case studies of actual computer-based control applications are presented.Automation of hydroelectric generating plants has been a known technology for many years. Due to the relative simplicity of the control logic for hydroelectric power plants@ the application of computer-based control has lagged@ compared to other types of generating stations@ such as fossil. Now that computer-based control can be implemented for comparable costs as relay-based logic and can incorporate additional features@ it is being applied in hydroelectric power stations worldwide@ both in new installations and in the rehabilitation of older plants.The guide is directed to the practicing engineer who has some familiarity with computer-based control systems. The authors have attempted to make the document a comprehensive guide to the application of such systems to hydroelectric plants. It begins with a discussion of computer-based control system functional capabilities@ pursues data acquisition@ alarm processing@ report generation@ and operator training@ as well as various system architecture and network bus configurations. System performance and testing are discussed@ and finally@ four case studies of actual computer-based hydroelectric control applications are presented. ScopeThis guide addresses the application@ design concepts@ and implementation of computer-based control systems for hydroelectric plant automation. It addresses functional capabilities@ performance requirements@ interface requirements@ hardware considerations@ and operator training. It includes recommendations for system testing and acceptance. Finally@ case studies of actual computer-based automatic control applications are presented.The automation of control and data logging functions has relieved the plant operator of these tasks@ allowing the operator more time to concentrate on other duties. In many cases@ the plant??s operating costs can be significantly reduced by automation (primarily via staff reduction) while still maintaining a high level of unit control reliability.Automatic control systems for hydroelectric units based on electromechanical relay logic have been in general use for a number of years and@ in fact@ were considered standard practice for the industry. Within the last decade@ microprocessor-based controllers have become available that are suitable for operation in a power plant environment. These computer-based systems have been applied for data logging@ alarm monitoring@ and unit and plant control. Advantages of computer-based control include use of graphical user interfaces@ the incorporation of sequence of events and trending into the control system@ the incorporation of arti?cial intelligence and expert system capabilities@ and reduced plant life cycle cost.