How new technology will shape the future of hydro inspections | WSP Skip to content
  • Who we are

    We exist to future proof our cities and environment.

    We change the landscape, helping societies thrive, and continually challenge the status quo, asking: “What if we can?”

    Read more
    Who we are
    • What We Stand For
    • Our Story
    • Corporate Responsibility
    • UK Leadership
    Corporate Responsibility
    • Communities
    • Corporate Governance
    • Diversity and Inclusion
    • Ethics and Integrity
    • Health and Safety
    • Sustainability
    • UK Policies
    Featured Content
    We value - Square

    Can we help societies thrive in a world we do not…

    We believe that for societies to thrive, we must all hold ourselves accountable for tomorrow. That…

  • What We Do

    We shape the communities of tomorrow and help society thrive.

    Our understanding of local, regional and national needs enables us to deliver solutions that better connect people with places, now and in the future.


    View All

    • Sectors
    • Services
    • Projects
    What We Do
    • Property and Buildings
    • Transport and Infrastructure
    • Environment
    • Water, Energy and Industry
    • Planning and Advisory
    Featured Content
    butterfly thn

    Protecting nature

    How can we safeguard our natural environment?

  • Insights

    Our experts offer compelling insights that provide new perspectives.

    Read inspiring articles that challenge the status quo by reframing current issues, sparking fresh ideas and conversations.

    View all
    Insights
    • Climate
    • Mobility
    • Places
    • Resources
    • Society
    • Technology
    Featured Content
    Emeka bnr

    Profiling our people – Emeka Okorocha, Technical…

    As our combined responsibility to design and build sustainable infrastructure is recognised and…

  • Careers

    Help us shape the future

    Join a collaborative team of experts that thrives on complex challenges and unconventional thinking.

    See more
    Careers
    • Early Career
    • Experienced Professionals
    • Why choose WSP
    • Job Opportunities
    Featured Content
    BNR_Careers_Why_Choose_WSP

    Why you should work for us

    Live a full life, enjoy the rewards you deserve and be part of a business that plans, manages and…

  • Who we are
    • What We Stand For
    • Our Story
    • Corporate Responsibility
      • Who we are
      • Accountable for Tomorrow
        • Communities
        • Corporate Governance
        • Diversity and Inclusion
        • Ethics and Integrity
        • Health and Safety
        • Sustainability
        • UK Policies
    • UK Leadership
  • What We Do
    • Property and Buildings
    • Transport and Infrastructure
    • Environment
    • Water, Energy and Industry
    • Planning and Advisory
  • Insights
    • Climate
    • Mobility
    • Places
    • Resources
    • Society
    • Technology
  • Careers
    • Early Career
    • Experienced Professionals
    • Why choose WSP
    • Job Opportunities
Back

We are locally dedicated with international scale.

United Kingdom - English

International

  • Global
    English - Français

Americas

  • Canada
    English - Français
  • Chile
    Español
  • Colombia
    Español
  • Mexico
    Español
  • Panama
    Español
  • Peru
    Español
  • United States
    English

Africa

  • South Africa
    English

Asia

  • China
    中文(简体) - English
  • Hong Kong
    English
  • India
    English
  • Malaysia
    English
  • Philippines
    English
  • Singapore
    English
  • South Korea
    한국어(대한민국) - English
  • Thailand
    English

Europe

  • Denmark
    Dansk
  • Finland
    Suomi
  • France
    Français
  • Germany
    Deutsch
  • Greenland
    Kalaallisut - English
  • Netherlands
    Nederlands
  • Norway
    Norsk
  • Poland
    Polski - English
  • Romania
    English
  • Spain
    Español
  • Sweden
    Svenska - English
  • Switzerland
    Deutsch - English
  • United Kingdom
    English

Middle East

  • Kuwait
    English
  • Oman
    English
  • Qatar
    English
  • Saudi Arabia
    English
  • United Arab Emirates
    English

Oceania

  • Australia
    English
  • New Zealand
    English
Worldwide Offices
    • Investors

      Discover our diverse business, financial results and strategic ambitions.

      We are committed to delivering sustainable value to our shareholders and exceptional professional services to our clients.

      Read more
      Investors
      • Corporate Governance
      • Press Releases
      • Reports & Filings
      • Stock Information
      • Shareholder Information
      • Presentations and Events
      Corporate Governance
      • Audit Committee
      • Board of Directors
      • Business Conduct Hotline
      • Constating Documents
      • Governance Documents
      • Governance Ethics and Compensation Committee
      • Mandates
      Reports & Filings
      • AIF
      • Annual
      • Information Circular
      • Quarterly
      • SEDAR Filings
      • Sustainability
      Stock Information
      • Analyst Coverage
      Shareholder Information
      • Acquisitions
      • Dividends
      • Drip
      • FAQ
      Featured Content
      Thn-Web-Q42020-Results

      WSP's Q4 and 2020 Results

      We released our 2020 fourth quarter and fiscal results on February 24, 2021 after market close.

    • Investors
      • Corporate Governance
        • Investors
        • Corporate Governance
          • Audit Committee
          • Board of Directors
          • Business Conduct Hotline
          • Constating Documents
          • Governance Documents
          • Governance Ethics and Compensation Committee
          • Mandates
      • Press Releases
      • Reports & Filings
        • Investors
        • REPORTS & FILINGS
          • AIF
          • Annual
          • Information Circular
          • Quarterly
          • SEDAR Filings
          • Sustainability
      • Stock Information
        • Investors
        • Stock Information
          • Analyst Coverage
      • Shareholder Information
        • Investors
        • Shareholder Information
          • Acquisitions
          • Dividends
          • Drip
          • FAQ
      • Presentations and Events
    • News

      Progress happens quickly.

      Stay up to date with our projects, news, events and more.

      News
      • Latest News
      • Press Releases
      Featured Content
      Zero carbon photo 1920 x 750

      WSP to provide UK Government with technical advice…

      WSP will support the design of CCUS work programme and will advise BEIS on how to…

    • Contact us

      We are dedicated to our local communities and driven by global talent.

      We solve problems for our clients and the communities we serve, meeting the needs of today and tomorrow’s challenges. Contact us to find out how we…


      Follow us

      Contact us
      • Send a Message
      • Offices
      Featured Content
      Going net zero wind turbine 563 x 220

      Solutions for a net zero carbon future

      With the UK committed to a Clean Growth Strategy and becoming the first major economy to commit to a…

    • Investors

      Discover our diverse business, financial results and strategic ambitions.

      We are committed to delivering sustainable value to our shareholders and exceptional professional services to our clients.

      Read more
      Investors
      • Corporate Governance
      • Press Releases
      • Reports & Filings
      • Stock Information
      • Shareholder Information
      • Presentations and Events
      Corporate Governance
      • Audit Committee
      • Board of Directors
      • Business Conduct Hotline
      • Constating Documents
      • Governance Documents
      • Governance Ethics and Compensation Committee
      • Mandates
      Reports & Filings
      • AIF
      • Annual
      • Information Circular
      • Quarterly
      • SEDAR Filings
      • Sustainability
      Stock Information
      • Analyst Coverage
      Shareholder Information
      • Acquisitions
      • Dividends
      • Drip
      • FAQ
      Featured Content
      Thn-Web-Q42020-Results

      WSP's Q4 and 2020 Results

      We released our 2020 fourth quarter and fiscal results on February 24, 2021 after market close.

    • Investors
      • Corporate Governance
        • Investors
        • Corporate Governance
          • Audit Committee
          • Board of Directors
          • Business Conduct Hotline
          • Constating Documents
          • Governance Documents
          • Governance Ethics and Compensation Committee
          • Mandates
      • Press Releases
      • Reports & Filings
        • Investors
        • REPORTS & FILINGS
          • AIF
          • Annual
          • Information Circular
          • Quarterly
          • SEDAR Filings
          • Sustainability
      • Stock Information
        • Investors
        • Stock Information
          • Analyst Coverage
      • Shareholder Information
        • Investors
        • Shareholder Information
          • Acquisitions
          • Dividends
          • Drip
          • FAQ
      • Presentations and Events
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Press Releases
    • Contact us
      • Send a Message
      • Offices
  1. home
  2. Insights

How new technology, from 3D printing to virtual reality, will shape the future of hydro inspections

As a quality surveillance engineer, I typically find myself immersed in what I call the “grunt and grind” of the foundries, forges and fabrication shops that make hydropower turbines. 

 

map marker United Kingdom | 16 May 2018

Traditional techniques such as welding, machining and casting can produce turbines as big as a house and it is my job to check they meet our clients’ requirements. On the surface, this is an old-fashioned job but it is one that technology could soon change radically.

Techniques such as 3D modelling and five-axis machining are already making designs more efficient and engineering even more precise. In turn, quality requirements are becoming more stringent, changing the inspection process. For example, checking tolerances on turbine blades used to be done with a metal template. Today, with machines able to work to within a fraction of a millimetre, the checking is done by laser.

Lasers are not the only things that have already changed about quality inspections. My father did a similar job to me. He had to find a payphone if he wanted to call his office, wait days for inspection photos to be printed and use a fax machine to send his report. Today, my smartphone enables me to take hundreds of photos, consult detailed plans and even occasionally broadcast inspections live to my client. 

What next? Could virtual reality one day enable us to inspect a turbine without travelling to the factory? Could we be wearing smart personal protective equipment that warns us of any danger as we carry out an inspection? Perhaps, but maybe a more relevant question is: “What will we be inspecting?”

For example, inspecting a casting involves checking for porosity, where bubbles have created voids inside, or shrinkage that might reduce its strength. Will we still be looking for these sorts of defects in ten years’ time? Or will new processes mean checking for entirely different things?

Take a Pelton turbine, for example. This is effectively a wheel with scoops, that is manufactured in one piece. Today these are made using a process that began in the Dark Ages: forging. Soon, they could be 3D printed. After all, rocket parts, and even buildings are being 3D printed, so why not Pelton turbines? 

The advent of 3D printed turbines would completely change the list of potential defects to check for, and also the job of the inspector. New sub-contractors that specialise 3D printing could enter the market, so we could also find ourselves visiting different types of facilities in new locations.

Could inspections even become a thing of the past? Smart materials that automatically diagnose problems using embedded electronics raise this prospect. This is clearly a long way off, but just because much of our job involves being immersed in traditional processes, it does not mean we should not look to the future.

This blog has been written by David Tunstall, Quality Surveillance Engineer, WSP

 

 

More on this subject

GB-amirsheikwarak-04022021-563x220

February 2021

How does a structural engineer eliminate carbon?

United Kingdom
Feature
Resilience , Resources , Technology
Hydrogen hot air 563 x 220

January 2021 | 5 minutes

Hydrogen’s potential is not just hot air

United Kingdom
Blog
Climate , Resilience
GB-Aidan McLoughlin-17122020-563x220

December 2020

An hour in the life of a wind engineer

United Kingdom
Feature
Technology
GB-Luke Livermore-16122020-563x220 (2)

December 2020

An hour in the life of an interconnector design engineer

United Kingdom
Feature
Resilience , Technology
journey to zero carbon in freight and logistics thn

December 2020

The journey to zero carbon in freight and logistics

United Kingdom
Feature
COVID-19 , Climate , Resilience , Resources , Technology
GB-DamianMeehan-14122020-563x220 (2)

December 2020

An hour in the life of a development planner

United Kingdom
Blog
Technology , Mobility , Resilience
GB-JackHeslop-01122020-563x220 (1)

December 2020

An hour in the life of a coastal engineer

United Kingdom
Blog
Resilience , Places
Thn-Web-VZ-ITS-Article5

November 2020

Designing Out Flaws Within Road Transportation Systems

Feature
Mobility , Places , Resilience , Society , Technology
Thn-Web-Insight-TI-Electric-Vehicles

November 2020

Continuing the Shift to Electric Vehicles

Feature
Mobility , Places , Technology
older couple thn

November 2020

How digital roads will help keep an ageing population moving

United Kingdom
Feature
Mobility , Technology
Thn-Web-Insight-Mt-Eden-Station

October 2020

Innovative Pathways Deliver Vital Infrastructure

Feature
Mobility , Technology , Places
thn-smart-tech-better-normal

October 2020 | 12 minutes

After COVID-19: How Can Smart Tech Make Healthcare More Resilient?

Feature
COVID-19 , Places , Technology

Share this page

  • Share on Facebook - Warning, this link will open a new tab.
  • Share on Linkedin - Warning, this link will open a new tab.
  • Share on Twitter - Warning, this link will open a new tab.
  • Share on Skype - Warning, this link will open your Skype application.


Related themes and tags

  • Technology (154)


  • Water (57)
  • Energy (69)
  •  
  •   Page will open in a new tab
  •   Page will open in a new tab
  •   Page will open in a new tab
  •   Page will open in a new tab
  • Who We Are
  • What We Stand For
  • Our Story
  • Future Ready
  • UK Leadership
  • Our Offices
  • What We Do
  • Sectors
  • Services
  • Projects
  • Insights
  • Climate
  • Mobility
  • Places
  • Society
  • Resources
  • Technology
  • Careers
  • Job Opportunities
  • Spontaneous Application
  • Corporate
  • Sustainability
  • Health and Safety
  • Investors
  • Business Conduct Hotline
  • News
  • Corporate Governance
  • Ethics and Integrity
    ©2021 WSP
    • The WSP Logo
    • Privacy Notice
    • Anti-Spam Commitment
    • WSP Slavery Prevention Policy
    • UK Corporate Governance Statement
    • UK Gender Pay Report
    • UK Modern Slavery Statement
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Use
    ©2021 WSP

    Exiting our Website

    You are about to leave WSP.com and are being redirected to a job opportunity at Louis Berger, which has been recently acquired by WSP in the US.