AI-powered audio inspection system launched at Three Gorges Power Station
2025-03-05 19:03:27
By Chen Zai.
China’s first intelligent audio inspection system for large-scale hydroelectric generators has been launched at the Three Gorges Power Station, the operator announced on March 3.
As the world's largest hydropower station by installed capacity, the Three Gorges Power Station operates tens of thousands of generator components daily, producing a variety of constant sounds. This new system accurately detects error-indicating noises and converts sound into visual patterns, overcoming key technical challenges.
By using computer algorithms, sound visualization transforms sound wave properties — such as amplitude, frequency, and phase — into visual elements like colors, shapes, textures or animations, making sounds visible and tangible.
The system combines sound visualization with AI self-learning and fault diagnosis, enhancing the station’s smart management, according to Yang Peng, chief of Operations Department at the Three Gorges Power Station.
The intelligent audio inspection system now monitors 14 generator units at the power station, covering critical equipment like gates, transformers, circuit breakers, and turbines. With more than 600 sensors and over 130 IoT Edge Computing Gateways, it collects high-quality audio data and extracts key acoustic features to monitor equipment conditions with precision.
China’s first intelligent audio inspection system for large-scale hydroelectric generators has been launched at the Three Gorges Power Station, the operator announced on March 3.
As the world's largest hydropower station by installed capacity, the Three Gorges Power Station operates tens of thousands of generator components daily, producing a variety of constant sounds. This new system accurately detects error-indicating noises and converts sound into visual patterns, overcoming key technical challenges.
By using computer algorithms, sound visualization transforms sound wave properties — such as amplitude, frequency, and phase — into visual elements like colors, shapes, textures or animations, making sounds visible and tangible.
The system combines sound visualization with AI self-learning and fault diagnosis, enhancing the station’s smart management, according to Yang Peng, chief of Operations Department at the Three Gorges Power Station.
The intelligent audio inspection system now monitors 14 generator units at the power station, covering critical equipment like gates, transformers, circuit breakers, and turbines. With more than 600 sensors and over 130 IoT Edge Computing Gateways, it collects high-quality audio data and extracts key acoustic features to monitor equipment conditions with precision.
Workers at the Three Gorges Power Station checking the intelligent audio inspection device which visualizes sounds and detects abnormal noises.
