Product category:
Process Simulation
News Release from: Emerson Process Management - Power + Water | Subject: Luminant simulators
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 19 December 2007
Simulators for Luminant operator
training academy
Emerson has won a contract to provide four high-fidelity simulators for the new Luminant (formerly TXU Power) operator training academy, training power generation plant operators in Texas
The simulators will be used to equip the new Luminant Training Academy, which is located in Tyler, Texas, and officially opened by the power generator in July 2007 When used as a training tool, simulators teach operators to fully understand the unique operating characteristics of each plant, contributing to enhanced operator performance, a more efficient workforce deployment and increased plant efficiency
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 11 Dec 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Luminant will use the Emerson simulators to train operators at four power generating units.
One unit (Sandow Unit 4) is already in service, while three (Oak Grove units 1 and 2, and Sandow Steam Electric Station Unit 5) are new units currently under construction.
A second phase that would add simulators for other existing plants is currently under consideration.
Emerson high-fidelity simulators use mathematical models to emulate plant processes.
Because they are configured using control logic identical to that of each plant, the high-fidelity simulators offer a realistic training and engineering analysis environment.
Due to the fast-track nature of the project, Emerson is working with Baltimore-based GSE Systems, a leading provider of simulation and training, to build the high-fidelity models for each unit.
This "team" approach will result in a best-in-breed, customised simulator solution that is delivered within the timeframe required by Luminant.
Emerson Power and Water Solutions industry center will engineer and install the simulators, which will be delivered on a schedule of one per month, beginning in March 2008.
"With its new training academy, Luminant is proving that it is at the forefront of the power industry in terms of operator training," said Bob Yeager, president of Emerson Power and Water Solutions division.
"We're pleased to be working with such a forward-thinking organization".
A unique aspect of the project is that these four Luminant power generating units utilise distributed control systems supplied by two different vendors - Emerson and Invensys Process Systems.
The capability for Emerson simulators to seamlessly work with any DCS platform was a key factor in the selection of Emerson for this project.
This capability will enable operators at Luminant to be cross-trained on all control system platforms, for more efficient workforce deployment.
"The establishment of this Luminant Training Academy underscores our ongoing commitment to operator training with the goal of operating our units as reliably and efficiently as possible," said Steve Horn, Vice President of Technology and Operational Readiness: "The combination of technology and service offered by Emerson was very impressive.
They understood our operational goals and were able to provide a solution that will translate into enhanced operator performance and increased plant efficiency".
"One of the factors that really sets the Emerson simulation solutions apart from the competition is that they are backed by decades of power industry expertise," said Yeager: "In fact, Emerson control systems are installed in plants representing more than 300,000 MW of the U.S generating capacity.
These statistics demonstrate that we are succeeding at our number-one objective: to help customers control critical power generation processes, increase plant efficiencies and megawatt production, and realize long-term O+M savings".
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