ABB Retrofits Two Mark VI Control Systems for Jacksonville Electric Authority
The Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) replaces two of its turbine control systems with a Symphony solution to gain flexibility, improve performance and reduce cost.
Raleigh, NC –Â ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, recently completed the successful upgrade of a reverse flow-designed Mark VI turbine control system for Units 1 and 2 of the D-6 turbines located in its Jacksonville Northside Generating Station.
The Jacksonville Electric Authority’s (JEA) Northside Generating Station is a major power plant with a peaking power capacity of 1.3 GW. It is one of five power plants owned and operated by JEA, Jacksonville’s municipal utilities service. This is one of the largest circulating fluidized-bed (CFB) combustors power plant facilities in the world.
ABB was selected as the turnkey supplier for this upgrade due to the depth of its automation and control solutions. JEA needed a more open system than those provided by the turbine manufacturer. This capability would allow their engineers and technicians to fully visualize the process as it happens in their system. ABB and the JEA project team worked closely on the design and customization to ensure efficiencies. Features from several control philosophies were combined to produce a custom control system that provides flexibility for startups, shutdowns, and trip recovery events. Benefits to this customer include quicker startups, less nuisance trips, more evenly controlled heating, and greater operational efficiency.
“Not being ‘locked’ into a single control philosophy gives us the flexibility to make an ‘at the moment’ decision, allowing us to achieve the most productivity from the equipment we have at any given time,” said Scott Lagow, manager of Process Controls for JEA. “The ability to control shutdowns, the reduction of trips, and the overall gains from this upgrade have helped our bottom line by saving us thousands of dollars previously lost.” ABB supplied engineering, installation, field service and training. The project was successfully completed in 2012.
“This was a significant collaborative effort between ABB and JEA in developing a cost saving solution with our more open Symphony control system for JEA’s Northside facility,” said Mark Taft, senior vice president and general manager for ABB Power Generation, North America. “We appreciate the confidence and cooperation extended to us by JEA and look forward to continued success in the future.”
ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 145,000 people. The company's North American operations, headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, employ about 30,000 people in multiple manufacturing, service and other major facilities.
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ABB Media Relations
Bill Rose
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bill.rose@us.abb.com Â
