A delegation from RusHydro, a Russian hydroelectricity company, visited IWHR during July 14-15, 2014 for technical exchange on dam safety monitoring and management. Headed by Mr. Rasim Khaziakhmetov, director on technical policy and development of JSC RusHydro, also vice president of RusCOLD (Russian National Committee on Large Dams), the Russian visitors were cordially received by Dr. Jia Jinsheng, vice president of IWHR, also former president of ICOLD (International Commission on Large Dams), and experts from IWHR.

During the meeting, Dr. Jia briefed the guests on the research capability of IWHR, and hoped both sides could, by exchanging on policies and management mechanisms of hydropower and dam safety management, address common challenges and share experience and achievements for mutual development.

Mr. Khaziakhmetov extended his gratitude for IWHR’s hospitality, and spoke highly of the lab tours as well as the on-site technical exchange. He pointed out the visit enabled them to have a better understanding of IWHR and laid a sound foundation for future cooperation.

During the ensuing workshop, reports were made by the Russian experts on hydropower development and planning, as well as regulations and technological systems of dam safety management and monitoring in Russia. Researchers from IWHR also made presentations on overview of Chinese reservoirs and dams, technologies and application of high rock-fill dams, development and application of dam safety monitoring system, hydro facility operation monitoring and performance degradation prediction, durability monitoring and evaluation of hydraulic concrete structures, computer monitoring system for hydropower stations, etc.

The delegation also visited labs and research centers of IWHR, including the virtual reality platform, testing center of automatic monitoring, labs of structures and materials, Daxing Experimental Base (experimental halls of sedimentation, hydraulic structures and turbine testing), the remote monitoring and diagnosis center for Three Gorges Project, and the research center for safety monitoring of dams and electromechanical equipment.