Le projet de recherche proposé sera effectué en collaboration avec Hydro-Québec et a pour objectif une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes à l’origine de l’instabilité des parois rocheuses par une analyse de quelques cas répertoriés dans le cadre du projet hydroélectrique de La Romaine.

Le conducteur est un élément critique d’une ligne de transport d’électricité. Il est sujet à la corrosion affectant significativement sa durée de vie. Hydro-Quebec surveille avec un vif interet l'etat de corrosion de ses 34 000 km de lignes haute tension et voudrait estimer dynamiquement l’état de cet actif majeur pour optimiser sa valeur d’un point de vue fiabiliste. En premier lieu, le projet consiste à effectuer une revue du phénomène de corrosion des conducteurs, ainsi que des données disponibles sur les essais accélérés de corrosion.

In this project we propose to evaluate the synergistic effects of fatigue and corrosion to further understand the degradation mechanism of the alloys used by our partner. This will help the partner defining their total cost of ownership & develop mitigating corrosion strategies to ensure long term sustainability of their infrastructure.

Energy storage systems (ESS) are vital components in the power grid to ensure the reliable performance of the power grid integrated a considerable amount of renewable energy resources (DER). ESSs are employed to compensate for the unexpected changes in DERs and shift load during peak hours. ESSs are complex structures consisting of several series and parallel connected battery cells. Battery cells may have different characteristics due to the ambient temperature and aging differences. As a result, the operation limits of each battery cell vary.

The project aims to extend worksite safety of construction projects at Hydro-Quebec (HQ) using computer vision and a Real-Time Location System (RTLS). The case study is a substation construction project near Montreal. The main safety risks that will be targeted in the case study are related to equipment mobility (struck-by accidents) and not wearing Personal Protection Equipment. The concept of the method is to have a priori information about the types of expected risks in the planning phase, and then to monitor the site using video cameras and the RTLS.

Current needs for renewable and emission-free technologies imposes hydroelectric power plants to generate power in a predictable and reliable fashion. Replacing metallic to polymeric coatings in thrust bearings allows hydroelectric turbines to operate at a wider range of operation parameters. However, the sensibility of polymeric materials to the manufacturing method imposes important uncertainties on the performance and longevity these materials can have in service conditions.

Osmotic power or salinity gradient energy is one type of the renewable energies which is produced by fresh and salt water. This new environmental friendly energy based on the advantages such as carbon dioxide free and generating power continuously in all weather conditions seems to be a good option in which to invest. Therefore, investigation and research on osmotic energy and the technologies that generate it will be highly beneficial to Quebec. This project looks to develop expertise related to osmotic power.

Modelling the movement of water through a hydropower station is an important tool for understanding this very complex behaviour, where water is pushed and pulled through long tunnels and spinning turbines, resulting in a vast range of pressures and speeds. There are generally two types of models: 1-dimensional (1D) models, which are simple and cost-effective, but do not provide adequate detail for the more complex features in the power station. The second type is 3-dimensional (3D) models, which are very detailed but cost both time and money.