VERBUND Hydro Power (VHP) is one of the largest producers of electricity from hydropower in Europe and the market leader in Austria. Almost all of the electricity produced by VERBUND, totaling around 8,400 megawatts, comes from hydropower - from storage power plants in the Alps and run-of-river power plants on the Danube, Inn, Mur and Drau rivers.

A central geo-information system from rmDATA for providing information on the entire portfolio, including pipeline information and property management with included contract and payment management, is firmly integrated into the company's processes. As a major landowner on the rivers, a comprehensive information system is essential for the diverse uses, measures and contracts, as well as for pipelines and the associated rights that secure power plant operation. rmDATA Inventory Manager in combination with the WebGIS application rmDATA GeoWeb forms this system, in which all assets - from power lines to fish ladders to dams - are recorded. "A tool that has become an indispensable part of the daily work of many colleagues," says Christopher Schreiber, Head of Department at VHP.

Standardized database for all locations

Before the information system was introduced, the data landscape of the 132 run-of-river and storage power plants in Austria and Bavaria was heterogeneous and decentralized. In order to make the data quickly available to all users, VHP has been using a standardized system with central data storage for several years, combined with decentralized data maintenance in the regional field offices and power plant locations. The aim of the changeover was to create an online application via which all specialist departments and plant groups can easily access all available geographical and attribute data. "This information system is a key component of our digitalization strategy at VERBUND," emphasizes Christopher Schreiber.

Data collection in real time

In collaboration with axmann geoinformation, existing data was migrated and analogue inventories - such as sketches and plans - were digitized. The database is continuously updated with the latest information. To do this, VHP uses the rmDATA Mobile application, which allows employees at the power plant sites to independently record and mark out data using satellite technology. GNSS devices and tablets make it possible to enter factual data directly on site and precisely locate pipelines - for example, for fast, centimetre-precise information during excavation work. The new data is available across all locations within seconds.

Key users as the key to success

In view of the size of the company and the geographical distribution of the power plant sites, VERBUND relies heavily on independent data acquisition and data supplementation in the field offices. Real-time recording is carried out using rmDATA Mobile Collector, a GNSS receiver and a tablet. On site, selected key personnel in the plant groups take over data maintenance and record, for example, pipes and installation parts in open trenches during construction work. "Thanks to the user-friendliness of rmDATA Mobile Collector, this is very easy to do," emphasizes Philipp Zimmermann, who as GIS coordinator is responsible for training colleagues on site, among other things.

Outlook: Carrying out as-built documentation online

The next step is to involve external surveying offices. These will carry out the surveying and documentation of the inventory for VHP, for example. In future, the as-built documentation will be created directly in VERBUND's online solution. It is hoped that this will lead to considerable time savings in data exchange and optimized workflows.

The introduction of the rmDATA information system has been completed and it is being continuously developed to meet new requirements. The Mobile Collector is already in use in many plant groups, while over 300 users in the various specialist departments at VERBUND are working with the information system.

"We are extremely satisfied with rmDATA's customer and project support," emphasizes Christopher Schreiber. "The company supports us professionally with a great deal of expertise and is very flexible when it comes to implementing new ideas."

VERBUND Hydro Power GmbH, a subsidiary of VERBUND AG in Vienna, is Austria's largest producer of electricity from hydropower and is one of the leading operators in Europe. Around 130 run-of-river and storage power plants generate around 29 terawatt hours of electricity each year and cover over 90 percent of the Group's total electricity production. The company operates large run-of-river power plants on the Danube as well as alpine storage and pumped storage power plants, which contribute to grid stability and make renewable energy flexibly available.