Van Genderen: 'The form of cooperation used by Istimewa and Rijkswaterstaat is solid, we form a team'

System integrator Istimewa Elektro has been a specialist in electrical and control engineering for fifty years. The company is currently building new software for the decision and control system of the inflatable storm surge barrier (SVK) Ramspol.

SVK Ramspol was opened in December 2002, then still managed by the Groot Salland Water Board (now merged into the Drents Overijsselse Delta Water Board). Since July 1, 2014, Rijkswaterstaat has taken over management and maintenance.

SVK Ramspol

SVK Ramspol comes into operation at a water level above 0.50 meters above NAP and (north) westerly winds. Then weirs from the IJsselmeer towards the Ketelmeer pose a danger to the Overijssel hinterland. The weir is normally located at the bottom of the Ramsdiep. It consists of three rubber bellows one behind the other, each 80 meters long, and a dike body. When applied, the weir is filled with water up to the water level and supplemented with air so that it reaches a retaining condition above water. 

For Istimewa, with its great track record especially in the field of wet infrastructure, the work for Ramspol is a first. What makes the project extra special is that Ramspol is the only storm surge barrier of its kind in the world. 

Renewal of hardware and software

Ramspol's old decision and control system will be renewed because it is no longer supported. There will be new hardware in the form of (local) operating stations and equipment cabinets and new software, including controllers (the redundant PLC system), (remote) I/O modules, and visualization and control systems (SCADA system).

The controllers-the so-called PLC system-contain the decision and control logic of the barrier. From here, the various functions of the barrier are controlled and monitored. The PLC system contains more than 1,500 inputs and outputs. It can, based on input from water levels and currents in the Ketelmeer , close the barrier completely independently and autonomously.

Through the I/O modules, sensors are read out and various implements are controlled. Tools on the barrier include valves, pumps and signals.

The visualization and control system is a SCADA application, which displays the current status of the barrier. Operation and maintenance operations are also performed and monitored through this system.     

This also provides insight into the historical data and trends of the various tools.

The design phase 

Istimewa works with various operating and control systems. Engineering Manager at Istimewa Wilco van Genderen is project manager of the work at Ramspol, which involves extremely close cooperation with the Department of Public Works. He explains: "Our design experience with PLC and SCADA systems is so great in the area of bridges and locks that virtually nothing can go wrong."

The software is designed in accordance with the J-STD-016 standard. Van Genderen says Istimewa began the design phase in December 2019 and the product is now in the testing phase. "The system technology is universal, regardless of whether you make it for a bellows weir, bridge or lock. This also applies to building the system technology on site, as Istimewa is very experienced in this. What is particularly new due to the functionality of the barrier, is the process engineering in accordance with the J-STD- 016 standard."

Consultation and communication

Van Genderen: "The form of cooperation between Istimewa and Rijkswaterstaat is solid, we form a team. Istimewa distinguishes itself because cooperation is in our employees' DNA. The contract always forms the basis, but we fully commit to flexibility towards the client and optimal application of the technology."

In order to map out the desired functionality of the barrier, there was a lot of cooperation with the Department of Public Works. For example, several working sessions and prototyping sessions were held in order to collectively get a better picture of the operation of the Ramspol barrier. Istimewa got the knowledge about the integral bellows dam operation from those who work at Ramspol on a daily basis: the administrators and the technical team of the Department of Public Works. "They know all the details, like for example about the process steps of dewatering. Or about the bellows entry conditions, under which one may enter the -under overpressure- inflated bellows from the inside for inspections," Van Genderen said.

The testing phase

In several steps, Istimewa tested the software at its own location in Flushing, through small tests to large tests. "The equipment cabinets and control panels have already been completed. We are now testing the system integrally through the integration test," says Van Genderen. "At the end of the year, we will test the system together with Rijkswaterstaat through a Factory Acceptance Test. In this we will demonstrate the system operation to the managers of Rijkswaterstaat."

At the end of January 2022 until about mid-March, Rijkswaterstaat is testing the new system in an acceptance environment. In this, Rijkswaterstaat has built a small-scale representation of SVK Ramspol to preview how the system functions and performs. Installation preparations at the Ramspol site will take place after the storm season (mid-October 2021 to mid-April 2022). "The intention is to have the updated control system operational before the next storm season starts in October 2022," Van Genderen said.