Improving System Performance with Advanced Controls Upgrades - How to Make it Happen

摘要

Many hydroelectric plant operators have begun replacing their governor controllers with state ofrnthe art off the shelf PLC systems. During the scope development phase of their governorrnreplacement project, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) saw an opportunity tornupgrade and standardize their turbine shutoff valve (TSV) control systems as well. SMUD hasrncontracted with System 3, Inc (Carmichael, CA) and North American Hydro (Schofield, WI) tornupgrade the governors and TSV control systems at 7 powerhouses (10 units total) in SMUD'srnUpper American River Project (UARP). Project scope also includes installation of new humanrnmachine interface (HMI) personal computers in each powerhouse and maintenance headquartersrnthat intercommunicate over a fiber optic network and provide personnel with control system statusrnand historical control data from any powerhouse in the UARP. The project scope and benefits ofrnPLC governor upgrades, standardization of the TSV controls, system integration and historicalrnlogging of all powerhouse control data will be discussed.