ABB has won a major contract from E.ON UK to replace the existing VAX-based operator stations at its 1,420MW Connah’s Quay Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Power Station at Deeside, North Wales with new MS Windows-based power generation portal consoles. The contract includes the installation and commissioning of the full system including ancillary services, staff training and a system for converting graphics from the existing installation to the Windows operating interface.
Key considerations in the new system have included ensuring backward compatibility for existing graphics and retaining the existing ‘look and feel’ of this part of the system. The existing graphics and databases were created in ABB Composer software. The new installation will convert the graphics to run on the new system’s Windows-based platform. The current control system has more than 1,000 graphics screens on each unit, and a further 150 on common services.
The existing installation consists of four generating systems and common services. Each generating unit has four operator screens and there are two servers and two client consoles on the system. There are two servers and one client console for common services.
The SODG graphics used on the existing OIS-40 series consoles will be converted to power generation portal (PGP) graphics. The contract includes the supply and installation of a wide range of network interfaces, switches and peripherals as well as cabling, desk and alarms. In addition, ABB will provide installation and commissioning, inspection and testing, training and spares.
ABB also recently completed the replacement of the Connah’s Quay steam turbine supervisory system.