Polish coal-fired power plant outfits unit with new technology

Emerson Process Management will install its Ovation™ control system at a 1075 MW, ultra-supercritical, coal-fired power generating unit under construction at the Kozienice power plant in Poland. When operational in 2016, the new unit will help support the growing Polish economy, which is expected to rise 3.2% in 2014 and 3.4% in 2015. The contract was awarded by Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems (MHPS), the engineer-procure-construct contractor for the project.

The Kozienice power plant is the second-largest power generating facility in Poland. Owned by Elektrownia Kozienice S.A., a subsidiary of ENEA Wytwarzanie S.A, it is located in Swierze Górne near Kozienice, Poland. The power plant currently has 10 units with a total generating capacity of approximately 2900 MW.

Supercritical technologies can boost the efficiency of coal-based electricity generation by approximately 40%, while reducing carbon and other emissions, but they are more challenging to control because of the high temperatures and pressures involved. Emerson’s Ovation technology has been selected for nearly 100 of these complex units worldwide.

“We have worked with Emerson for more than 14 years now,” said Stanislaw Lasota, head of the automation department at the Kozienice power plant. “Based on our positive experience using Ovation on the other 10 units at the Kozienice site, as well as Emerson’s proven track record automating supercritical units, we are eager to work with them on this project, which is so vital to supporting economic development in Poland.”    

At the new unit, the Ovation system will monitor and control all major plant components, including the MHPS boiler and turbine. The ability to unify boiler and turbine operations was an important consideration, as tight control of boilers, turbines and balance-of-plant processes helps ensure more reliable and efficient plant operation.

In addition to unit co-ordinated control, Emerson will also engineer a number of other specific applications needed for compliance with Polish grid requirements. Emerson will also provide an Ovation safety instrumented system to meet SIL3 requirements for boiler protection; electrical control via native IEC 61850 modules; an Ovation high-fidelity simulator that will be used to test control logic and train operators; and AMS Suite predictive maintenance software.

“We appreciate this opportunity to extend our long relationship with Elektrownia Kozienice,” said Bob Yeager, president of Emerson Process Management’s Power & Water Solutions. “We believe our selection for this latest project indicates continued confidence in our people and technology – including our expertise automating large ultra-supercritical units.”

Adapted from press release by Sam Dodson

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/power/18092014/emerson-technology-for-polish-power-plant-1331/