UTILITIES MANDATE IMPROVED HEAT RATE, EMISSIONS AND AVAILABILITY WHEN SPECIFYING NEW CONTROLS

摘要

Advanced instrumentation and control systems allow electric utilities to improve the profitability of their power plants by reducing heat rates, equipment down time and maintenance costs. Upgrading controls can also increase a plant's availability, optimize operations and reduce emissions. Additionally, greater thermal efficiency is achievable because the newer control technologies allow a plant's variable set points to be set closer to their operating limits. Upgrading power plant instrumentation and controls is generally considered to be cost effective with paybacks from two to five years in many cases. EPRI and Southern Company Services, Inc. are collaborating to quantify the value of improved control system response at fossil plants. This project will evaluate specific performance improvements and how they impact unit efficiency and life extension of plant equipment. They will also look at the value of faster load response and economic dispatch.