Emersons Scenario Simulation Technology Offers Opportunities for Faster Start-up and More Efficient Grid Synchronisation at Fawley Power Station

Emerson Automation Solutions 02/05/2008

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Emersons high-fidelity Scenario solution expected to enhance operator training and performance at 1,000-MW peaking plant

Fawley Power Station, a two unit, 1,000-MW (2 x 500-MW) 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 peaking plant can quickly and efficiently start-up and synchronise to the grid in order to cost-effectively respond to seasonal spikes in demand. Since January 2008, the nearly 40-year-old, oil-fired plant, which is owned by RWE npower, the UKs largest electricity supplier with approximately 6.8 million customers, has been relying on Emerson Process Managements Scenario simulation technology to help achieve these goals.

The Fawley station simulator mirrors the plants actual Ovation expert control system, which monitors and controls the boiler, turbine and other critical plant processes/systems. Fawleys 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 scaleability with a significantly reduced footprint. At Fawley, 4,100 simulated I/O points exist within twelve Ovation virtual controllers.

The Scenario simulation solution is a valuable training tool – both for the ongoing education of existing employees as well as 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 megawatts 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 & Instrumentation Lead, RWE npower, who notes that the simulator is a key component of a formal operator training programme. “By training operators how to start the unit faster to meet peak demand, we have the opportunity to not only enhance the plants 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. With that in mind, Fawley had 20 malfunctions – including critical malfunctions – pre-programmed into the simulator to train operators on how to respond to emergency situations.

Emerson has decades of real-world power industry experience designing, engineering and supporting simulation projects. Leading power producers around the world rely on Emersons Scenario engineered simulation solutions to enhance the safety, reliability and overall operations of their plants. Utilising tie-back logic, algorithmic models and comprehensive first-principle models, Scenario can provide a full range of training and engineering simulation solutions tailored to meet the unique operational challenges of each facility.

“Ongoing operator training is important to power generators preparing for the expected retirement of experienced operators over the next few years. But beyond training operators, our customers are achieving additional benefits by utilising our simulation technology for engineering analyses and validating new control logic,” said Bob Yeager, president of the Power & Water Solutions division of Emerson. “In todays competitive business environment, the plant reliability and safety improvements that can be realised by utilising Emersons Scenario technology translates into a significant ROI thats hard for power generators to ignore.”

Emerson Process Management, Horsfield Way, Bredbury, Stockport SK6 2SU UK

Tel: 0870 240 1978 (UK) +44 870 240 1978 (Int)

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Emerson Automation Solutions

0870 240 1978
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Meridian East, Meridian Business Park, Leicester, Leicestershire LE19 1UX GB

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