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INSTRUMENTATION & CONTROL
Modern Control Systems Provide
Insights for Power Sector
As power generation embraces digitization, and looks for more reliability and
flexibility, the need for advanced instrumentation and control systems grows.
Darrell Proctor
P
ower plant operators know the
importance of maintaining a solid
instrumentation and control (I&C)
system, one that accurately provides the
information needed to ensure the safe
and reliable operation of their facility.
It starts with the design of the system,
continues with its installation, and
then is supported with maintenance
that enables continuous, optimal plant
performance. Monitoring and regulating
the processes involved with power generation
facilities is continuously being improved
as systems provide real-time data
on operating conditions, which enables
operators to make better-informed decisions
and be proactive when it comes to
facility maintenance and more.
Software and hardware that supports
I&C processes has become more
adaptable, and more user-friendly-important
at a time when more power
plants are converting to digitization in
an industry constantly evolving during
the energy transition.
" It's control that matters, " said John
Arnaud, manager of Strategic Accounts
and Partnerships at Lumin, an energy
management solutions provider. " We
need more insight when it comes to controlling
loads behind the meter. We are
working with utility partners, and helping
with residential demand response, with
the type of technologies that enable a
utility to see those loads. "
A modern, advanced I&C system
plays a major role in the profitable operation
of a power plant. It supports the
maximum availability of a generation facility,
whether thermal or renewable-
and even battery energy storage-and
also supports reliability, flexibility, and
operations and maintenance strategies.
A good I&C system also can help in
maintaining emissions compliance.
The move toward digitization has
improved communication between operators
and equipment, as software and
hardware become more adaptable. That
supports the control of equipment as
well as support services across a power
26
generation facility.
Lennart Hinrichs, vice president of
Partnerships at TWAICE, a battery software
platform group, told POWER, " Data
forms the foundation for any analytics
and optimization case. To use battery
storage operators as an example, they
can leverage data for predictive analytics
to increase the availability of their storage
and increase the overall efficiency
by anticipating maintenance needs. This
preemptive approach with analytics ensures
that battery storage systems are
not only running smoothly but also prevents
costly outages. "
Monitoring Performance
I&C systems are responsible for monitoring
and regulating a variety of power
plant parameters, including pressure,
flow, level, temperature, and overall
quality in a facility. Today's systems
provide real-time data on process conditions,
which provides operators more
insight into plant performance, and enables
steps to maintain optimal operation
and prevent issues that could result
in downtime.
" Efficiency optimization is another
critical area for data, " said Hinrichs, who
noted the increased importance of I&C
when it comes to energy storage, which
today often is paired with power generation
both at thermal and renewable energy
sites. " Analytics platforms provide
detailed insights into battery usage and
degradation, which enables operators to
adjust charging and discharging cycles
for optimal efficiency and to minimize
wear, thereby preserving the battery's
capacity and prolonging its service life. "
Efficiency and productivity are two
focuses of an I&C system, as Hinrichs
noted. There is the potential for faster response
times to alerts and faults, including
through the use of remote monitoring
of power generation assets. Engineers
working to design I&C systems can utilize
advanced control algorithms, data
analytics, and other techniques to improve
process operations, and support
overall plant performance.
www.powermag.com
1. Sinovoltaics' SELMA technology uses artificial
intelligence to identify microcracks and
other defects in solar modules before they are
shipped to installers. Courtesy: Sinovoltaics
Hinrichs told POWER, " Additionally,
data analytics can be used to optimize
the
operational
parameters, " helping
operators " understand how different
usage patterns affect the longevity of
their assets and allows them to plan
for replacements or upgrades in a costeffective
manner. "
Control at the Factory
Power generation equipment manufacturers
are recognizing how I&C techniques
can improve generation assets
before they are deployed. Sinovoltaics,
a solar power equipment company with
headquarters in Hong Kong and Shanghai,
China, recently entered the U.S.
market with its Sinovoltaics EL Mass
Analysis (SELMA) technology, a proprietary
electro luminescence (EL) product
that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to
identify microcracks (Figure 1) and other
module defects before equipment is
shipped to installers.
" EL is a process that is part of every
solar process, once before lamination,
[and] at the end of the manufacturing
line, to make sure there are no defects, "
said Arthur Claire, head of Technology
for Sinovoltaics. " Every manufacturer is
doing an EL test at the end of the production
line. You would have a picture of
each panel, and would have about two
seconds to look for defects ... a lot of
panels with defects that should have
been taken out of the production line
were being shipped to clients. "
With
Sinovoltaics'
process,
Claire
said, " we can calibrate the machines,
POWER | April 2024
http://www.powermag.com
pwr_april-2024

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