Emerson to update control system at Colorado power plant

Emerson Process Management has been awarded a contract worth US$ 15 million to engineer and install its Ovation™ control system at Craig Station, the second largest power generating facility in Colorado.

Coal power

The three-unit 1311 MW coal fired power plant is operated by Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, which supplies 44 electric cooperatives with approximately 1.5 million consumers in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming.

Affordable and reliable electricity

“This plant plays a critical role in satisfying the region’s demand for affordable and reliable electricity. For such an important project, we considered a number of factors. Ultimately, our selection of Emerson was based on the company‘s reputation in the industry and our own experience utilizing their control technology at our Nucla and Escalante power plants, along with the depth of their cyber security offering,” commented Barry Ingold, acting Senior VP Production, Tri-State.

Ovation technology

An Ovation system at each of the three coal-fired Craig Station units will monitor and control the boiler and turbine. Unifying boiler and turbine operations under a single, common automation platform will provide:

• Improved unit stability, responsiveness and thermal efficiencies
• Tighter overall control of plant operations
• A more concise view of key plant and turbine parameters

Ovation technology will also control the burner management system, sootblower, fly ash system, scrubbers and balance-of-plant processes, as well as coal handling and other common systems.

Automation solution

Emerson’s automation solution for Craig Station also includes a simulator for operator training, EDS™ technology that enables management to monitor plant performance remotely, and its Ovation Security Center, which streamlines the execution of cyber-security measures related to compliance with the North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards.

Additional contract

“We’re gratified by Tri-State’s continued confidence in our people and technology. Receiving this additional contract energizes us to continue to do our best work, deliver great value and exceed Tri-State’s expectations,” added Bob Yeager, President of Emerson’s Power & Water Solutions.

The Ovation systems will be installed during three successive spring outages, beginning in 2015.

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/power/08042014/control_system_update_in_colorado_701/