Product category:
Plantwide control
News Release from: Emerson Process Management - Power + Water | Subject: Scenario simulation technology
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 30 April 2008
Simulation technology helps predict
power spikes
The Fawley Station simulator mirrors the plant's actual Ovation expert control system, which monitors and controls the boiler, turbine and other critical plant processes and systems.
Fawley Power Station, a two unit, 1,000MW power generation facility, plays an important role in meeting the electricity needs of approximately one million people in Hampshire, United Kingdom It is essential that this plant can quickly and efficiently start up and synchronise to the grid in order to cost-effectively respond to seasonal spikes in demand
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 29 Oct 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Emerson to automate China's Wangting power plant
Emerson Process Management has won a contract to automate the new 780MW Wangting combined cycle power plant.
Control system is built for the power industry
Backed by more than 100 years of industry experience, Emerson Process Management continues to be the control system supplier of choice for the power industry.
Since January 2008, the nearly 40-year-old, oil-fired plant has been relying on Emerson Process Management's Scenario simulation technology to help achieve these goals.
The Fawley Station simulator mirrors the plant's actual Ovation expert control system, which monitors and controls the boiler, turbine and other critical plant processes and systems.
Fawley's high-fidelity simulator solution features virtual controller technology in which up to five virtual controllers reside in a single PC, offering opportunities for achieving higher levels of affordability and scalability with a significantly reduced footprint.
Further reading
Automation strategy modernizes water plant
The automation and control of primary processes, and completion of a centralized control room, mark a milestone in a long-term automation programme at a large wastewater treatment plant in the USA.
Efficient management of wastewater treatment
Emerson Process Management offers a broad portfolio of integrated instrumentation and control solutions to help municipalities navigate today's complex water environment.
At Fawley, 4100 simulated I/O points exist within 12 Ovation virtual controllers.
The Scenario simulation solution is a valuable training tool - both for the ongoing education of existing employees and for qualifying new employees for safe and efficient plant operation.
This training capability is particularly valuable for operators in peaking plants, which operate based on fluctuating demand.
In this environment, simulation technology can be used to train new operators, while keeping current operators sharp and helping them become familiar with new control strategies, even when the plant is not in operation.
By doing so, when MW are needed, the plant can synchronise to the grid not only more quickly, but also within the necessary parameters to avoid costly equipment damage.
"With the simulator, new operators can come up to the standards of more experienced and trained operators much sooner than would be possible if they were interacting with the control system only when the unit was operating", said David Marmot, Electrical andd Instrumentation Lead, RWE npower.
"By training operators how to start the unit faster to meet peak demand, we have the opportunity to not only enhance the plant's operational performance, but our financial performance, as well".
Well-trained operators who are prepared to handle abnormal operating situations can significantly reduce costly plant trips.
Fawley had 20 malfunctions - including critical malfunctions - pre-programmed into the simulator to train operators how to respond to emergency situations.
• Emerson Process Management - Power + Water: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Engineeringtalk email newsletter
• Engineeringtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
