October 1, 2009

Top Plants: Nebraska City Station Unit 2, Nebraska City, Nebraska

Dr. Robert Peltier, PE

Table 5.    Nebraska City Station Unit 2 emissions limits. Source: OPPD

Modern Control System

NC2 uses Emerson’s PlantWeb digital plant architecture with an Ovation control system. PlantWeb uses high-speed communications networks, intelligent field devices, and bus I/O technologies to manage more than 8,500 I/O points. Specifically, the Ovation system will monitor and control the IHI Heavy Industries boiler (the first installation of an IHI-supplied utility boiler in the U.S.), the burner management system, and balance-of-plant processes. The system will also perform data acquisition and interface to the plant’s Toshiba steam turbine generator (Figure 3).

3.    Tried and true. Toshiba supplied the steam turbine for Nebraska City Station Unit 2. Courtesy: OPPD

The project specifications included the purchase of a high-fidelity simulator as a training tool, enabling operators to fine-tune their skills and familiarize themselves with the new controls and plant equipment before start-up. The simulator can also be used as an engineering tool to test changes in the control logic before updating the operating software.

Kudos All Around

Although this was the first coal-fired plant constructed by OPPD in a generation, the team overcame its lack of construction experience. "My thanks go to NCPP and their suppliers, and the OPPD project management team for their fantastic coordination of this challenging project, and to HDR Engineering and Stanley Consultants, whose support was superb," said Ken Roth, division manager of projects and construction at the project dedication. "The OPPD team included Bud Eidem, project manager; Dave Wesely, site project manager; and Dave Wetrosky and Tim Yager, who alternated in the role of startup manager," Ken said. "Other project team members include David Aderemi, Sue Badberg, Eric Bender, Mike Neu and John Wichman. They’ve all done an excellent job."

The plant will remain a valued employer in the Nebraska City region for many years to come. Its staff has gradually grown from about 98 employees prior to the construction of NC2 to approximately 164 employees today.

—Dr. Robert Peltier, PE is POWER's editor-in-chief.