[font=times][Color=#708090]PITTSBURGH, PA (March 18, 2008) — Use of Emerson’s Scenario® simulation technology offers reduced plant startup time for new power facility projects and upgrades. Con Edison’s East River Repowering Project (ERRP) illustrates the gains, having realized a three month startup time reduction and ongoing benefits, including improved operational efficiency and reliability.
ERRP, a truncated combined cycle facility, went into operation several years ago as part of a major improvement project at Con Edison’s East River energy complex. The project was necessary to maintain reliable and reasonably priced steam supply and electricity for Con Edison’s customers throughout New York City.
The ERRP facility uses two General Electric combustion turbines connected to two heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs) and a steam ring header. This unique configuration provides steam at 3.2 million lb./hr. for dispatch into Manhattan, where it is used as a key source for the district heating system. Emerson’s Ovation® technology provides control for a number of critical processes used in this 360-MW plant.
Con Edison’s significant investment in this plant made safe and timely commissioning and startup crucial. Because the East River facility is located in Manhattan, Con Edison also had to adhere to strict environmental constraints, such as noise levels during construction, as well as emissions levels during plant commissioning, startup and operation.
In order to help ensure optimal operation of the East River plant, Con Edison sought a way to efficiently train their operators using equipment and plant models duplicating the repowered East River plant prior to actual commissioning and startup. Con Edison also wanted a tool to help them verify and validate new control logic prior to its installation into the plant’s Ovation control system.
Based on a two-decade relationship of proven performance, Con Edison partnered with Emerson to provide the right solution. Emerson’s Scenario simulation technology was selected to monitor and control the unique processes associated with the new technology employed at the East River site. To ensure optimal plant operation, Con Edison engineers and operators teamed with Emerson to configure a high-fidelity Scenario solution.
ERRP’s Scenario simulation consists of actual plant control software and duplicate workstations that mimic the East River control room. Scenario was used extensively to train operators, formerly familiar with traditional boiler/steam turbine plant configurations, on the operation of the new truncated combined cycle plant. Through utilization of Emerson’s simulation technology, operators also became well versed on using the microprocessor-based system, which unlike the previously installed hard-wired controls, enables operators to more quickly recognize and react to abnormal plant process situations. Scenario simulation was also used to develop optimum operator methodology that is documented in the plant’s operating procedures. [/color][/font]