LiDAR for monitoring a micro-hydropower plant

Discussions about climate change and how we can reduce our impact on the environment have become increasingly important in recent years. This has prompted some businesses and communities to explore various ways of generating renewable energy using renewable technologies to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. One method of generating renewable energy is the use of micro-hydropower plants. 

Hydroelectricity generation relies on a constant water cycle. Nature constantly replenishes this cycle, making it a good, clean energy source. This method of generating electricity from hydropower is the goal of the Congleton Hydro Project. 

Dane Valley Community Energy Ltd (DVCE), a non-profit organization, developed and implemented the project. DVCE is a volunteer-run organization managed by a small team of volunteer members, all of whom have worked in engineering and management companies. Funded by Congleton Council, the project aims to generate enough carbon-free electricity from hydropower to power 60 homes in the area. The GeoSLAM ZEB Horizon is not available. The new generation of mobile laser scanners is now available from us.

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The team purchased a handheld 3D laser scanner, the ZEB Go from GeoSLAM. Because the scanner is handheld, the team can track ground movement and vegetation rates over time. They can also map the building on-site to support facility management and storage. GeoSLAM Connect's Stop&Go alignment feature assists the team in aligning these scans, providing a more accurate view of the exterior and interior areas together. GeoSLAM technology is ideal for this task due to the uneven terrain. The mobile mapping system allows you to map an area while walking, whereas systems requiring more complicated setup would struggle to scan the area in a timely manner.

Thanks to the ZEB Go's high acquisition speed, DVCE can scan the 100 m x 100 m area around the micro-hydropower plant in just 25 minutes. By detecting changes in ground movement and vegetation, the team can regularly survey the area to monitor any problems. Thus, GeoSLAM technology meets DVCE's requirements for regular documentation. 

Thanks to the ZEB Go's ease of use, the team doesn't need to be trained to scan, as is the case with more complicated scanning hardware. Furthermore, thanks to the ZEB Go's capabilities, the entire team doesn't need to return to the site repeatedly, as only one person is required. 

The team was impressed by the ease with which the GeoSLAM ZEB Go was used to monitor the entire site, without the need for tripods or complicated preparations.

During data collection, the team established control points using a GNSS receiver. This allowed the team to georeference the data using GeoSLAM software. Now that the survey pins are in place, the team can easily georeference the data with each scan.

Using control points was important for DVCE because they allow for clear comparisons between multiple scans of the same area. Georeferenced data places the scan in the real world, making the data even more accurate. This will benefit the team as they continue to scan the area surrounding the micro-hydro system in the future and identify gradual changes. 

The ZEB Go provided an accurate 3D image of the terrain, helping DVCE with its project. The versatility of the ZEB Go and the resulting point cloud means the team can find new ways to interpret the data—helping to protect this important technology for both the environment and the local community.

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The GeoSLAM ZEB Horizon is not available. The new generation of mobile laser scanners is now available from us.

Buy mobile laser scanner