Constellation Clearsight’s Inspection of Riverside Generating Station Provides Valuable Insights to Constellation

In this article:

• Discover how drone and sonar technologies were used to inspect Riverside Generating Station.
• Learn the collaborative process in defining inspection goals and outcomes.
• Explore the innovative and cost-effective approach Clearsight took to complete the inspection.

Constellation Clearsight is a wholly owned subsidiary of Constellation Energy Corporation that provides safer, more effective inspections of critical infrastructure by using cutting-edge drone, robot, sensor, and software technologies to deliver key insights that reduce the total cost of asset ownership.

Recently, Clearsight completed an innovative inspection project at the decommissioned Riverside Generating Station facility in Dundalk, Md., which was once a bustling, 8-unit fuel oil and natural gas-fired steam electric unit with a capacity of over 500 megawatts. The earliest units were online in the 1940s, with Units 1, 2, 3, and 5 retired in 1993 and Units 4 and 6 retired by 2018. Final decommissioning of the site, including Units 7 and 8, was completed in 2021.

Riverside Station now sits quietly off Broening Highway, with several waterfront and marine areas requiring ongoing assessments and reviews. Constellation, a leader in the clean energy transition, takes seriously the ownership responsibilities of every facility – active, laid up, or decommissioned. High quality inspections are a critical part of this responsibility. That’s why, in 2022, when Clearsight became part of Constellation, leadership was excited about the opportunities to bring inspections to a new level.

Connecting with Constellation

Clearsight Innovation Lead, Jason Hill recognized the potential to support Constellation’s efforts, utilizing Clearsight’s inspection services across the Constellation fleet – starting with Riverside. Hill made special efforts to connect with the new parent company and assess its needs. With the assistance of John Kirk, Clearsight’s Operations Manager,  Mr. Hill connected with Constellation’s Asset Management Team and discussed the needs around Riverside Generating Station.

“I already knew how much Constellation values having clear and actionable data on their asset health,” Hill said. “With Clearsight’s reliable technology and industry experts, I also knew we could provide them with true insights and advance their understanding of Riverside Station and its assets for any future endeavors.”

Collaboration and Proposal

Responding to Clearsight’s capabilities, Constellation’s Asset Managers recommended a complete inspection of Riverside Station’s waterfront infrastructure to provide details on short-term and long-term options for the facility’s ultimate disposition. 

The team worked closely to define the inspection goals and respective outcomes, and Hill created a proposal with a portfolio of key inspection services that would elaborate on the valuable data that Clearsight’s services would provide and how it would meet Constellation’s needs.

Innovative Inspection Execution

Julea Hovey, Constellation’s Asset Manager, commented: “We were excited to work with Clearsight and use innovative technology to assess the health of the waterfront structures both above and below the water line. They were able to access all areas and perform underwater assessments that avoided putting divers in the water. The detail they captured was amazing and so valuable, and at a significant cost savings.”

Clearsight’s approach to the inspection was unique. We proposed a highly skilled crew made up of an array of operations specialists and subject matter experts, as well as the specialized equipment needed to successfully execute the inspection. In total, only five personnel were needed to successfully complete this inspection:

• One highly-trained drone operator
• One visual observer
• Three skilled submersible and sonar operations personnel

Typically, a traditional inspection of this magnitude requires approximately 10 to 12 personnel from a variety of fields, including subject matter experts and a commercial dive team, with safety and support crews. 

Clearsight utilized cutting-edge equipment by integrating two advanced inspection technologies: a drone for capturing detailed aerial imagery of Riverside Station and an underwater high-resolution sonar sensor designed to capture below water-level imagery and conduct a comprehensive condition survey.

• The drone was flown along a detailed flight plan to capture vertical and oblique images of all assets on the entire site. From the dock to the bulkhead, to the breakwater; all around views were captured showing detailed views of every asset and structure in their location. These aerial images taken from different angles created a complete plan view of the site, which provides all the technical information needed to make an informed conclusion about the current state of the above water level structures of Riverside Station.
• The high-resolution sonar equipment was fixed to the side of a boat and guided along a path surrounding Riverside Station. The video and imagery captured by the sensor array was used to create a complete underwater condition assessment, including sediment mapping and a survey plan. All this data unveiled the true nature of the below water-level portion of the structures. 

Riverside Generating Station Inspection Results

Combining the insights from both the drone and the sonar sensor enabled Constellation to better understand the current state of Riverside Station above the water line and below – at a lower cost and greater safty than putting divers in the water. 

Understanding the current state is crucial for the Asset Management Team to make well-informed decisions regarding the safe management of the retired site and determining the ultimate disposition of the station.

Constellation Clearsight Capabilities 

We utilize drones to inspect energy assets across the board, from transmission and distribution assets to power-generating facilities, and a diverse range of applications beyond. Our sonar system is pivotal for monitoring inspections that oftentimes replace the need for a full dive team. This also plays a substantial role in the success of desilting projects. We pride ourselves on versatility and have capacity for a wide range of infrastructure projects.

At Clearsight, we specialize in providing tailored inspection solutions and our value stretches beyond just asset inspections. We also provide clients with data and data interpretation to generate critical insights and make smart, informed decisions.

“Every day Clearsight is innovating in new and exciting ways to bring value and critical asset inspection insights to our customers. We’re eager to continue broadening our reach across all the business units in Constellation as well as our external clients,” said Jimmy Carter, Clearsight’s General Manager.