ENERGY SECTOR: monitoring impacts and accelerations

Acceleration sensors, like inclination sensors, are complex devices based on an inertial transducer typically in MEMS technology, which are interrogated by a microcontroller. One or more output signals suitable for the application are provided by means of an algorithm. Acceleration sensors find their main application as stability and safety control of wind towers and their parts.

Another application of acceleration sensors is monitoring the vibration of hydroelectric plants (turbines), to carry out maintenance of the plant before it is damaged.

Impact sensors are battery-operated instruments which detect impacts within a determined range and record them in their internal memory. Sensors are equipped with user interface to set customized parameters, which discriminate whether the detected impact is significant or not.

These types of sensors are used to monitor the safe transport of high-value goods such as transformers and wind turbines, drastically reducing the risks of damage to the goods, proving that the transport was carried out safely. They are reusable, low energy consumption sensors.

Inclination sensors are used in controlling the planarity of work or energy production machines, such as tracking photovoltaic systems. The inclinometer is a fundamental element of the control chain of the solar tracking system since it guarantees maximum efficiency in pointing to the sun. In steam generation solar systems this characteristic is fundamental to always have the parabolic mirror in focus and always obtain maximum energy production efficiency.