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Upgrading Controls

     
 

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Fossil-fueled Power
Non-Fossil Generation
End-Use Efficiency
Electricity T&D
Carbon Sequestration
Non-CO2 Reductions
Other GHG Reductions

Related topics in this section

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Advanced Coal Power
Turbine Efficiency
Repowering
Cogeneration & CHP
Natural Gas
Upgrading Controls
Plant Equip. Upgrades
Coal Prep & Handling

 

 Upgrading Plant Instrumentation and  Controls

 
 Background


Instrumentation and control (I&C) is an integral part of any power station. New coal-fired power plants are built with modern, advanced systems. A modern, advanced I&C system plays a major role in the profitable and safe operation of a plant by achieving maximum availability, reliability, flexibility, maintainability and efficiency.

Recent advances in control technology, on-line testing, and performance monitoring can help a power plant improve efficiency, maintain a high availability factor, and generally improve plant operations. A large number of existing facilities have also been retrofitted with advanced digital systems in many countries, throughout the world. Upgraded instrumentation and control systems, used in conjunction with new sophisticated software programs, allow plant operators to identify factors affecting equipment performance more quickly and accurately. Upgrading the instrumentation and control systems of an older power plant can have the following benefits:

  Improved operating flexibility, i.e., the ability to meet a wider range of operating conditions more effectively
  Reduced maintenance costs through better monitoring of plant equipment condition and an enhanced ability to detect equipment malfunctions
  Reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants through better control of the combustion process and of environmental control equipment
  Extended equipment life through the reduction of excessive equipment operating stress


However, some plants continue to operate with pneumatic/analogue systems and should be upgraded if the facility is to continue operating safely and profitably. The average lifetime of modern I&C systems ranges between 10 and 15 years. Payback of an upgrade has been evaluated from 2 years up to the lifetime of the upgrade.

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 References, Sources, and Other Useful Data


Electric Power Research Institute, “68 I&C and Automation for Improved Plant Operations”
http://mydocs.epri.com/docs/Portfolio/PDF/2007_P068.pdf

Instrumentation and control (I&C) systems in power plants are vital to reliable, efficient, and environmentally sound plant operation. These heavily computerized systems are evolving rapidly, and it is very difficult for power industry personnel to stay abreast of the latest developments. The Electric Power Research Institute’s (EPRI’s) collaborative research program helps power producers direct future I&C developments and obtain quick, reliable solutions to plant problems. In addition, the program addresses longer-term, strategic issues articulated at EPRI advisory meetings, industry forums, and workshops. Participants can take advantage of I&C Center resources for demonstrating EPRI-developed deliverables, technology transfer and training, and on-site I&C system assessments. Furthermore, because the program traditionally attracts a large amount of project participation, and generalized results from those projects are available to all program participants, members usually receive significant additional value.

International Energy Agency, IEA Clean Coal Centre, “Upgrading instrumentation and control in coal-fired power plant" (CCC/80, February 2004)
http://www.iea-coal.co.uk/publishor/system/component_view.asp?LogDocId=81096

The average lifetime of modern I&C systems ranges between 10 and 15 years. Payback of an upgrade has been evaluated from 2 years up to the lifetime of the upgrade. In this report we investigate the effects of upgrading I&C in coal-fired plant and attempt to evaluate the financial and/or environmental benefits where possible.

University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research, “Upgrading Instrumentation and Control in Coal-Fired Power Plant” (January 2004)
http://www.caer.uky.edu/iea/ieaccc80.shtml

A modern, advanced I&C system plays a major role in the profitable and safe operation of a plant by achieving maximum availability, reliability, flexibility, maintainability and efficiency. These systems can also assist in maintaining emissions compliance. However, some existing plants continue to operate with pneumatic/analogue systems and should be upgraded if the facility is to continue operating safely and profitably. The average lifetime of modern I&C systems ranges between 10 and 15 years. Payback of an upgrade has been evaluated from 2 years up to the lifetime of the upgrade. This report investigates the effects of upgrading I&C in coal-fired plant and attempts to evaluate the financial and/or environmental benefits.


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