Automation

State-of-the-art automation systems are common at power plants these days. Still, many plants start up units in a very manual way. When startups were rare, the implications were minimal, but as units cycle

All the elements necessary to implement a complete and economical pump monitoring system are now available. It’s simply a matter of assembling the pieces. Within the walls of a thermal generating plant using

Just a decade ago, a hydroblasting contractor was considered cutting-edge if he owned a spinning nozzle for his shotgun and a 2-D tank cleaning tool. Now, the next evolution in hydroblasting technologies is

ZURICH, Switzerland (March 7, 2018) – Deering and Buckland are two small villages in northwestern Alaska, with populations of 200 and 400 mostly indigenous Inupiaq people. For these residents, who rely heavily on fishing and hunting for their subsistence, life above the Arctic Circle is tough. Winter lasts for nine months with temperatures dipping to […]

Valmet has signed a Value-Added Reseller (VAR) partnership agreement for power and process industry automation with RR Projects in Tullamore, Ireland, to go into effect immediately. Together, the two companies will be targeting Irish process industries in the utility sector, particularly power and water. Valmet will benefit from the capabilities of RR Projects to provide […]

Although it may seem as if gas turbines have only recently become the technology of choice for new U.S. power plants, a lot of gas turbine units have been in service for decades. Control systems have evolved

Global technology and engineering giant Emerson renewed its bid for a $29 billion takeover of Rockwell Automation, the world’s largest dedicated industrial automation firm, saying it remained “convinced” a merger of the companies offered “compelling strategic, operational, and financial merit.” Emerson Chairman and CEO David Farr on November 16 sent Rockwell’s president and CEO, Blake […]

Small hydro is becoming big business as ongoing technological advances make more small sites economic to exploit. Older plants can also see substantial output and efficiency gains by upgrading from decades-old

HONEYWELL AND DOVER ENERGY AUTOMATION COLLABORATE TO OFFER ASSET INTEGRITY MANAGEMENT Dover to Add Condition Monitoring and Asset Optimization Expertise to Honeywell’s Connected Plant Program HOUSTON, Dec. 21, 2016  ̶  Honeywell (NYSE: HON) and Dover Energy Automation today announced they will collaborate as part of the Honeywell INspire™ program, Honeywell’s joint customer development program for […]

Sira-Kvina kraftselskap DA awarded main contract for upgrading control systems at Tonstad and Solhom to Voith Hydro AS The two power plants meet the energy demand of roughly 230,000 households Project completion is expected in 2022 Heidenheim/Oslo. Norwegian energy supplier Sira-Kvina kraftselskap DA awarded the main contract for the upgrade of the control systems at […]

Like so many other power plant functions these days, regulatory and standards compliance can be automated. Know what you want an automated system to do before you make a vendor decision. As North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC) Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) enforcement deadlines and audit dates loom—notably, CIP-003-6 in April 2017, which addresses the […]

The TÜV SÜD certificate based on IEC 62443 confirms Siemens security in the development process for automation products Siemens is the first company worldwide with a TÜV SÜD-certified development process based on IEC 62443-4-1 Secure development is an important component in the “Defense in Depth” protection concept As the first company to receive TÜV SÜD […]

Effectively managing time, budget, and resources has always been the goal of companies involved in constructing power generation projects, but today the challenges in meeting those goals can be greater than ever. Any power generation company involved in new construction or an upgrade or retrofit project hopes it will see completion safely, without exceeding schedule […]

Heidenheim/Coo. The technology group Voith has won a major order to automate the Belgian pumped storage power plant Coo-Trois-Ponts. By 2020, the company will have completed its phased delivery of new control and excitation technology and speed controllers for the power plant’s six machines. The new automation technology will ensure the continuous operation and maximum […]

The Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014 that cleared Congress last week and was presented to President Obama on Monday has the backing of automation organizations.  The bill was one of four cybersecurity measures passed—without much debate and by voice vote—by Congress before the 113th session came to a close on Tuesday, Dec. 16. Sen. John […]