Quality assurance of hydro equipment

Fortunately major incidents at hydro facilities are few, considering the number of hydro plants operating worldwide. However, when things do go wrong the resulting damage and destruction is awe-inspiring. The recent accident at the Sayano-Shushenskaya powerplant in Russia is a terrible reminder of the sheer power of water and the forces which we in the hydro industry are controlling. Although the cause of the Sayano-Shushenskaya accident is yet to be determined, the event does reinforce the need for constant vigilance, of which, as explained in this paper, quality assurance during all phases of hydro work forms a major part.