Environmental protection systems and environmental protection programs

Abstract

To provide an environmental conservation system that can properly preserve the environment around hydroelectric power plants. [Solution] The system includes a biological monitoring camera 2 that acquires biological information including the condition of fish F inhabiting the river L surrounding the hydroelectric power plant G, a group of river sensors 3 that acquires river information including the water quality and flow rate of the river L, and a management computer 4 that determines the actions necessary to conserve the environment, including the fish F, based on the biological information and river information. The actions include opening and closing the gate D1 of the dam D and adjusting the operation of the turbine G1 of the hydroelectric power plant G.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to an environmental protection system and an environmental protection program for protecting the environment around a hydroelectric power plant.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when monitoring and observing the environment (including ecosystems) around a hydroelectric power plant, mainly, people have conducted on-site investigations or fixed-point observations using fixed sensors. Also, a water source protection system that can perform water quality monitoring efficiently and at low cost is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This system includes a power generation unit that converts the water flow force of the water source environment into electric power, and a monitoring unit that operates by the electric power output by the power generation unit and monitors the protection of the water source environment. The power generation unit and the monitoring unit are arranged in the water source environment.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, conventionally, since people have been performing analysis of monitoring and observation data and judgment of necessary countermeasures and actions based on the results, it has been difficult to take appropriate and prompt actions. On the other hand, in the system described in Patent Document 1, although it is possible to perform water quality monitoring efficiently and at low cost, it is not possible to appropriately take actions for environmental protection.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an environmental protection system and an environmental protection program that enable appropriate environmental protection.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the invention of claim 1 is an environmental conservation system comprising: a means for acquiring biological information including the state of living organisms inhabiting a river around a hydroelectric power plant; a means for acquiring river information including the water quality and flow rate of the river; and a determination means for determining actions necessary to conserve the environment including the living organisms based on the biological information and the river information, wherein the actions include opening and closing the gates of a dam and adjusting the operation of the turbines of the hydroelectric power plant.

[0007] The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the environmental conservation system described in claim 1, the determination means determines that opening the gate is the necessary action when it determines that the spawning period of the organism is approaching.

[0008] The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the environmental protection system described in claim 1, it comprises weather information acquisition means for acquiring weather information around the hydroelectric power plant, and the determination means determines the necessary action based on the weather information.

[0009] The invention of claim 4 is an environmental protection system according to claim 1, wherein the action includes strengthening the treatment of wastewater from the hydroelectric power plant, and comprises weather information acquisition means for acquiring weather information around the hydroelectric power plant, the determination means determines the necessary action based on the weather information, and if it determines that the water quality of the river deviates from the specified water quality, the wastewater treatment The method is characterized by determining that strengthening the principle is the necessary action.

[0010] The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that, in the environmental conservation system described in claim 1, the system includes a past information storage means that stores past information including when and what actions were taken to determine the results of the biological information and the river information in the past, and the determination means determines the necessary actions based on the past information.

[0011] The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that, in the environmental conservation system described in claim 1, the determination means uses a determination learning model that has been machine-trained based on past performance data, such that when the biological information and the river information are input, the necessary action is output.

[0012] The invention of claim 7 is an environmental conservation program characterized in that a computer functions as a determination means for determining actions necessary to conserve the environment, including the living organisms, based on biological information including the state of living organisms inhabiting rivers around a hydroelectric power plant and river information including the water quality and flow rate of the river, wherein the actions include opening and closing the gates of a dam and adjusting the operation of the turbines of the hydroelectric power plant.

[0013] The invention of claim 8 is characterized in that, in the environmental conservation program described in claim 7, the determination means determines that opening the gate is the necessary action when it determines that the spawning period of the organism is approaching.

[0014] The invention of claim 9 is characterized in that, in the environmental conservation program described in claim 7, the determination means determines the necessary action based on weather information around the hydroelectric power plant.

[0015] The invention of claim 10 is characterized in that, in the environmental conservation program described in claim 7, the action includes strengthening the treatment of wastewater from the hydroelectric power plant, and the determination means determines the necessary action based on weather information around the hydroelectric power plant, and if it determines that the water quality of the river deviates from the specified water quality, it determines that strengthening the wastewater treatment is the necessary action.

[0016] The invention of claim 11 is characterized in that, in the environmental conservation program described in claim 7, the computer functions as a past information storage means that stores past information including when and what actions were taken to change the biological information and the river information in the past, and the determination means determines the necessary actions based on the past information.

[0017] The invention of claim 12 is characterized in that, in the environmental conservation program described in claim 7, the determination means uses a determination learning model that has been machine-trained based on past performance data, such that when the biological information and the river information are input, the necessary action is output. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the inventions described in claims 1 and 7, the necessary actions for environmental conservation are determined based on biological information, including the state of organisms inhabiting rivers around a hydroelectric power plant, and river information, including the water quality and flow rate of the river. Therefore, when abnormalities or changes occur in the state of organisms or the water quality of the river, it becomes possible to conserve the environment appropriately and quickly. Moreover, by simply opening and closing the gates of the dam related to the hydroelectric power plant or adjusting the operation of the turbine, it becomes possible to conserve the environment appropriately and quickly without affecting equipment or facilities other than the hydroelectric power plant. .

[0019] According to the inventions described in claims 2 and 8, when the spawning season of living organisms is approaching, opening the gate is determined to be a necessary action, thereby guiding the water flow into the fishway to facilitate the upstream movement of fish, supporting spawning, and properly preserving the environment.

[0020] According to the inventions described in claims 3 and 9, necessary actions are determined based on weather information around the hydroelectric power plant, making it possible to properly protect the environment even if abnormalities or changes occur in weather conditions such as precipitation and temperature.

[0021] According to the inventions described in claim 4 and claim 10, when the water quality of a river deviates from the specified water quality, it is determined as an action that requires strengthening of wastewater treatment. Therefore, it becomes possible to improve the water quality of the river and properly conserve the environment. In addition, it becomes possible to avoid violations of laws and regulations due to deviation from the specified water quality and shutdown of hydroelectric power plants.

[0022] According to the inventions described in claim 5 and claim 11, based on what actions were taken and what the results were when the state of a living body and the water quality of a river were in certain conditions in the past, the necessary actions are determined. Therefore, it becomes possible to determine appropriate actions based on past examples and achievements and properly conserve the environment.

[0023] According to the inventions described in claim 6 and claim 12, since the necessary actions are output using a machine-learned learning model for determination, it becomes possible to determine appropriate actions and properly conserve the environment.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] It is a schematic configuration diagram showing an environmental conservation system according to an embodiment of this invention. [Figure 2] It is a schematic configuration block diagram showing the management computer of the environmental conservation system in FIG. [Figure 3] It is a functional block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the learning model for determination of the management computer in FIG.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Hereinafter, this invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiments.

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an environmental conservation system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This environmental conservation system 1 is a system for conserving the environment around a hydroelectric power plant G. The environment to be conserved includes the river L around the hydroelectric power plant G, the organisms inhabiting the river L (such as fish F and algae), the flora and fauna around the hydroelectric power plant G, and in this embodiment, the hydroelectric power plant G itself. Here, the river L also includes lakes and marshes that are part of the water system to which the river L belongs. The hydroelectric power plant G is equipped with a turbine G1, a generator G2, a wastewater treatment device G3, and a discharge port G4, etc.

[0027] The environmental conservation system 1 mainly comprises a biological monitoring camera (means for acquiring biological information) 2, a group of river sensors (means for acquiring river information) 3, and a management computer 4.

[0028] The biological monitoring camera 2 is a camera that acquires biological information, including the state of organisms inhabiting the river L surrounding the hydroelectric power plant G. In other words, it is a camera for acquiring biological information, including the type, behavior / movement, size, number, and habitat area of ​​organisms inhabiting the river L. In this embodiment, it photographs the inside of the river L from above and transmits the captured images to the management computer 4 in real time. In response, the management computer 4 processes the images as described later. Analyze the data to obtain biometric information.

[0029] Multiple such bio-monitoring cameras 2 are installed along the river L to ensure that bio-information is properly acquired throughout the entire river L. Here, the images are taken from above the river L, but they may also be taken from underwater. Furthermore, the bio-monitoring cameras 2 may be composed of high-resolution cameras and infrared cameras to enable day and night photography and monitoring.

[0030] The river sensor group 3 is a group of sensors that acquire river information, including water quality and flow rate of river L, and consists of sensors that can measure and acquire the following river information and data.

[0031] River L's water temperature, dissolved oxygen content, turbidity, hydrogen ion concentration (pH), chemical oxygen demand (COD), etc. Flow rate, flow velocity, water level, etc. of river L Discharge flow rate from hydroelectric power plant G, etc. Multiple such river sensor groups 3 are installed along the river L to ensure that river information is properly acquired for the entire river L area.

[0032] The management computer 4 is a computer that determines (identifies) the actions necessary to preserve the environment, and as shown in Figure 2, it mainly comprises an input unit 41, a display unit 42, a communication unit (weather information acquisition means) 43, a storage unit 44, a determination task (determination means) 45, a learning task 46, and a central processing unit 47 that controls these.

[0033] The input unit 41 is an interface for inputting various information and commands, specifically for inputting the activation command for the judgment task 45 and inputting information into the past information database 441, which will be described later. The display unit 42 is a display that shows various data and information, specifically for displaying the action determined by the judgment task 45 and displaying images received from the biological monitoring camera 2. The communication unit 43 is an interface for communicating with the outside world, specifically for receiving images from the biological monitoring camera 2 and sensor data from the river sensor group 3, and for accessing the weather server S that provides weather information to obtain weather information around the hydroelectric power plant G in real time at all times. Thus, in this embodiment, weather information is obtained from the weather server S via the communication unit 43, but weather information may also be measured and obtained directly by installing rain gauges, thermometers and hygrometers, anemometers, etc.

[0034] The memory unit 44 stores images from the biological monitoring camera 2 and sensor data from the river sensor group 3 in chronological order, and also includes a past information database (past information storage means) 441, a judgment learning model 442, and a judgment performance database 443. Here, the past information database 441 will be described, and the judgment learning model 442 and the judgment performance database 443 will be described later.

[0035] The historical information database 441 is a database that stores historical information, including what happened to biological and river information in the past, under what circumstances, and what actions were taken. In other words, it stores how the environment, such as the state of organisms inhabiting river L and the water quality of river L, changed under what circumstances, and what actions were taken. For example, when the migration of fish F becomes active and the spawning season is approaching, it stores how much the opening of dam gate 1 affected the upstream movement of fish F. Alternatively, when the turbidity of river L increases due to sudden heavy rain, it stores whether or not the inflow and contamination of foreign matter into the turbine G1 of hydroelectric power plant G was prevented by adjusting dam gate 1.

[0036] The judgment task 45 is based on biological information, river information, etc., and is necessary for environmental conservation. This is a task program that determines (calculates) an action. In this embodiment, it is always running, but it may also be configured to make a determination based on biological information, river information, etc., at the time a start command is input to the input unit 41.

[0037] First, images from the biological monitoring camera 2 are analyzed to obtain biological information such as the types, behaviors, movements, sizes, quantities, and habitat areas of organisms inhabiting the river L. Next, this biological information, along with river information such as water quality and flow rate received from the river sensor group 3, weather information around the hydroelectric power plant G obtained from the weather server S, and past information stored in the past information database 441, which shows what actions were taken in the past regarding biological and river information, what the results were, and also determines the necessary actions based on the season. Here, actions to preserve the environment are actions and operations that can be carried out at the hydroelectric power plant G, and include opening and closing the gate D1 of the dam D, adjusting the operation of the turbine G1, and strengthening wastewater treatment from the hydroelectric power plant G (increasing the processing capacity of the wastewater treatment device G3). The necessary actions are determined from these. Specifically, the necessary actions are determined for the following cases.

[0038] "Case 1" When the migration of a specific fish species F becomes active during a predetermined period / season (biological information), and the water temperature, dissolved oxygen level, and flow velocity of the river L become suitable for spawning (river information), it is estimated and determined that the spawning season for that fish species F is approaching. Then, because the fish species F needs to move upstream and requires an appropriate water flow, it is determined that necessary actions include adjusting and opening the gate D1 of the dam D to guide the water flow into the fishway, temporarily stopping the operation of some turbines G1 to increase the water flow, or adjusting and reducing the rotation speed of turbines G1. At this time, past information is also considered and referenced to determine whether or not it is the spawning season, and to determine the opening degree of gate D1 and the rotation speed of turbines G1. If the spawning season has ended, gate D1 and turbines G1 are returned to their original states.

[0039] Case 2 If the water quality of River L deteriorates or fluctuates, such as turbidity, hydrogen ion concentration, dissolved oxygen level, or chemical oxygen demand, or if the flow rate of wastewater from the hydroelectric power plant G increases or fluctuates (river information), or if the ambient temperature or precipitation rises or fluctuates (weather information), it is estimated and determined that if this condition persists, the water quality of River L may deviate from the prescribed water quality (water quality standards that must be complied with). Then, it is determined that strengthening the wastewater treatment from the hydroelectric power plant G is a necessary action to prevent the water quality from deviating from the prescribed level.

[0040] Here, strengthening wastewater treatment includes adding filtering to wastewater treatment device G3 and adding chemicals. Furthermore, depending on the current water quality, in addition to strengthening wastewater treatment, it may be determined that adjusting or controlling the wastewater flow rate is a necessary action, and the concentration may be diluted to prevent deviation from the specified water quality. In this case, the flow rate may be temporarily increased or decreased by adjusting gate D1 of dam D. Furthermore, if the water quality of river L approaches the specified water quality, an alarm may be sent to the mobile terminal of the person in charge to prompt immediate action. At this time, past information should also be considered and referred to to determine whether there is a risk of the water quality of river L deviating from the specified water quality, and whether it is necessary to adjust the wastewater flow rate. If the water quality of river L recovers or improves, the wastewater treatment and gate D1 should be returned to their original state.

[0041] Case 3 If continuous rainfall is predicted (weather information) or if the water volume or level of river L begins to rise (river information), it is estimated and determined that the water quality of river L will rapidly deteriorate and turbidity will increase. Then, in order to prevent foreign matter from clogging turbine G1 due to the increase in turbidity, it is determined that necessary actions should be taken, such as adjusting the gate D1 of dam D to temporarily reduce the flow rate and suppress the inflow of highly turbid water, or adjusting and reducing the rotation speed of turbine G1. The system also considers and refers to past data to determine whether turbidity will increase, and to determine the degree of closure of gate D1 and the rotation speed of turbine G1. If the turbidity of river L recovers, gate D1 and turbine G1 are returned to their original states.

[0042] "Case 4" If heavy rain or flooding is predicted (weather information), if the water volume or level of river L begins to rise rapidly, or if the turbidity or hydrogen ion concentration of river L changes (river information), it is estimated and determined that there is a risk of flooding or inundation occurring around river L. Then, in order to ensure a safe flow rate for river L, it is determined that opening gate D1 of dam D in advance is a necessary action. At this time, past information is also considered and referred to to determine whether or not flooding or inundation will occur and to determine the timing of opening gate D1. If the flooding or inundation subsides, gate D1 is returned to its original state.

[0043] This decision task 45 uses a decision learning model 442 that has been machine-learned based on past performance data so that when biometric information, river information, weather information, and historical information (hereinafter referred to as "biometric information, etc.") are input, the actions necessary to conserve the environment are output. This decision learning model 442 is created by the learning task 46.

[0044] In other words, the learning task 46 creates a learning model 442 for judgment using a known machine learning algorithm such as a neural network, based on past performance data recorded and stored in the judgment performance database 443. This judgment performance database 443 is a database in which performance data including necessary actions determined by experts and skilled personnel in environmental conservation, image analysis, and hydroelectric power generation, based on biometric information and other input information, is recorded and stored. The past performance data includes actual biometric information and data created based on necessary actions actually determined by experts and skilled personnel, as well as data created through pre-training and other means.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3, this learning task 46 uses machine learning and deep learning with a neural network to create a neural network based on performance data recorded in the judgment performance database 443. For example, it uses biometric information as the input layer, the necessary actions as the output layer, and the analysis processing from the input layer to the output layer as the hidden layer. Then, the learning task 46 uses the performance data of the judgment learning model 442 as training data to learn various parameters in the hidden layer. In other words, the learning task 46 learns various parameters in the hidden layer so that the necessary actions are output appropriately based on biometric information.

[0046] The necessary actions determined in this manner are displayed on the display unit 42 or transmitted to the operator's mobile terminal. This allows the operator to perform actions such as opening and closing gate D1, adjusting the operation of turbine G1, and strengthening wastewater treatment, thereby protecting the environment. In this case, automatic control may be implemented by the management computer 4 or another control device.

[0047] As described above, this environmental conservation system 1 determines the necessary actions to conserve the environment based on biological information, including the condition of organisms and fish F inhabiting the river L surrounding the hydroelectric power plant G, and river information, including the water quality and flow rate of the river L. Therefore, when abnormalities or changes occur in the condition of organisms and fish F or the water quality of the river L, it becomes possible to conserve the environment appropriately and quickly. Moreover, by simply opening and closing the gate D1 of the dam D related to the hydroelectric power plant G and adjusting the operation of the turbine G1, it becomes possible to conserve the environment appropriately and quickly without affecting equipment or facilities other than the hydroelectric power plant G.

[0048] Furthermore, the necessary actions are determined based on weather information around hydroelectric power plant G, so Even if abnormalities or changes occur in weather conditions such as water levels or temperature, it will be possible to properly preserve the environment.

[0049] Furthermore, the necessary actions are determined based on past experiences, such as the state of living organisms and the water quality of river L, and the results of various actions taken under different circumstances. This allows for the determination of appropriate actions based on past examples and achievements, enabling proper environmental conservation.

[0050] Furthermore, since the necessary actions are output using a machine learning-based decision-making model 442, it becomes possible to determine the appropriate action and properly protect the environment.

[0051] Specifically, for example, if the spawning season for a living organism / fish F is approaching, opening gate D1 of dam D is determined to be a necessary action. This guides the water flow into the fishway, making it easier for fish F to move upstream, thus supporting spawning and ensuring proper environmental conservation.

[0052] Furthermore, if the water quality of river L deviates from the specified standards, it will be determined that strengthening wastewater treatment is necessary, making it possible to improve the water quality of river L and properly protect the environment. In addition, it will be possible to avoid legal violations and the shutdown of hydroelectric power plant G due to deviations from the specified water quality standards.

[0053] Although embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and any design changes, etc., that do not depart from the gist of this invention are also included. For example, in the above embodiments, the conservation of fish F was mainly used as an example, but it is possible to similarly apply this invention to the conservation of other living organisms, such as algae and insects in a river L, depending on their ecology and condition. Furthermore, the cases in which necessary actions are determined are not limited to the four cases described above, but include all cases in which it is necessary to conserve the environment based on biological information, river information, meteorological information, and historical information.

[0054] Alternatively, the environmental protection system 1 and management computer 4 described above may be configured by installing the following environmental protection program on a general-purpose computer.

[0055] The computer functions as a past information storage means (past information database 441) that stores past information including biological information such as the state of organisms inhabiting the river L around the hydroelectric power plant G, and river information including the water quality and flow rate of the river L, including what actions were taken and what the results were. It also functions as a determination means (determination task 45) that determines the actions necessary to conserve the environment, including organisms, based on the biological information and river information. These actions include opening and closing the gate D1 of the dam D, adjusting the operation of the turbine G1 of the hydroelectric power plant G, and strengthening the wastewater treatment from the hydroelectric power plant G. The determination means determines the necessary action based on weather information and past data around the hydroelectric power plant G. If it determines that the spawning season for living organisms is approaching, it determines that opening gate D1 is the necessary action. If it determines that the water quality of river L deviates from the specified water quality, it determines that strengthening wastewater treatment is the necessary action. Furthermore, when the above biological information is input, it uses a machine learning model 442 for determination that has been trained on past performance data to output the necessary action. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1. Environmental Protection System 2. Biometric surveillance camera (means for acquiring biometric information) 3. River Sensor Group (River Information Acquisition Method) 4. Management Computer 43. Communications Department (Means of acquiring weather information) 441 Historical Information Database (Historical Information Storage Means) 442 Classification Learning Models 45. Judgment Task (Judgment Means) G Hydroelectric Power Plant G1 Turbine D Dam Gate 1 L river F Fish (live specimens) S Weather Server

Claims

1. A means for acquiring biological information, including the state of organisms inhabiting rivers around a hydroelectric power plant, A means for acquiring river information, including the water quality and flow rate of the aforementioned river, A determination means for determining the actions necessary to conserve the environment including the living organisms based on the biological information and the river information, The system includes, and the actions include opening and closing the gates of the dam and adjusting the operation of the turbines of the hydroelectric power plant. An environmental protection system characterized by the following features.

2. When the determination means determines that the spawning season of the organism is approaching, it determines that opening the gate is the necessary action. The environmental protection system according to feature 1.

3. The system includes a weather information acquisition means for acquiring weather information around the aforementioned hydroelectric power plant, The determination means determines the necessary action based on the weather information. The environmental protection system according to feature 1.

4. The aforementioned actions include strengthening wastewater treatment from the hydroelectric power plant, The system includes a weather information acquisition means for acquiring weather information around the aforementioned hydroelectric power plant, The determination means determines the necessary action based on the weather information, and if it determines that the water quality of the river deviates from the specified water quality, it determines that strengthening the wastewater treatment is the necessary action. The environmental protection system according to feature 1.

5. In the past, the system includes a past information storage means that stores past information including when and what actions were taken to determine the results of the aforementioned biological information and river information. The determination means determines the necessary action based on the past information. The environmental protection system according to feature 1.

6. The determination means uses a machine learning model for determination, which is based on past performance data, so that when the biological information and the river information are input, the necessary action is output. The environmental protection system according to feature 1.

7. Computers, Based on biological information including the state of organisms inhabiting rivers around hydroelectric power plants, and river information including the water quality and flow rate of the rivers, this system functions as a determination means for determining the actions necessary to conserve the environment, including the organisms. The aforementioned actions include opening and closing the gates of the dam and adjusting the operation of the turbines of the hydroelectric power plant. An environmental conservation program characterized by the following features.

8. When the determination means determines that the spawning season of the organism is approaching, it determines that opening the gate is the necessary action. The environmental conservation program according to feature 7.

9. The determination means determines the necessary action based on weather information around the hydroelectric power plant. The environmental conservation program according to feature 7.

10. The aforementioned actions include strengthening wastewater treatment from the hydroelectric power plant, The determination means determines the necessary action based on weather information around the hydroelectric power plant, and if it determines that the water quality of the river deviates from the specified water quality, it determines that strengthening the wastewater treatment is the necessary action. The environmental conservation program according to feature 7.

11. Computers, In the past, it has functioned as a past information storage means that stores past information including when and what actions were taken to determine the results of the aforementioned biological information and river information. The determination means determines the necessary action based on the past information. The environmental conservation program according to feature 7.

12. The determination means uses a machine learning model for determination, which is based on past performance data, so that when the biological information and the river information are input, the necessary action is output. The environmental conservation program according to feature 7.

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