Aboitiz power unit installs seismic monitors at Ambuklao, Binga facilities
SN Aboitiz Power has equipped its 105-megawatt Ambuklao hydro power plant and 140-MW Binga plant with solar-powered seismic monitors to enhance disaster risk mitigation.
SNAP said in a statement that it had invested about P8 million for the installation of five solar-powered accelerographs in strategic positions in both of its Benguet facilities.
“The main purpose of these equipment is to monitor the structural integrity of the dams that supply our hydro plants,” SNAP president and chief executive Joseph S. Yu said in a statement.
“This is part of SNAP’s sustainability and risk mitigation plans to help ensure energy reliability and security in the Luzon grid, as well as to safeguard the welfare of our employees and host communities,” Yu said.
These equipment record ground acceleration—one of the parameters in conducting seismic analysis of the dams’ structures.
The strong motion recorders are connected to control centers so that rapid assessment could be conducted, especially during cases necessitating emergency response.
“This undertaking could potentially save lives and assets, as well as ensure the reliability of our services to our customers” Yu said.
“Strong motion recorders in our dams could help us reduce cost and risk, and avoid having calamities turn into disasters by initiating early damage-detection,” he added.
The decision to boost SNAP’s safety program through these seismic monitors arose during the third-party safety audit conducted by international consulting and engineering company Pöyry.
The audit was done as part of SNAP’s operation and maintenance agreement with National Power Corp. and Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp.—RONNEL W. DOMINGO
