FOXBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, USA - August 20, 2007 - Invensys Process Systems recently completed a fast-track controls upgrade at Energy Northwest's Columbia Generating Station, a nuclear power plant near Richland, Washington. Invensys supplied a Triconex TMR (triple-modular redundant) Tricon turbomachinery control system for integrated turbine protection and reactor pressure control. In a congratulatory letter recognizing the effort, W. Scott Oxenford, vice president, Technical Services for Energy Northwest said, "Our Digital Electro-hydraulic (DEH) Pressure Control/Turbine Control Upgrade was successfully installed, and it supported Columbia Generating Station (CGS) power ascension in a world-class manner."
Regarding the fast-track completion, Mr. Oxenford said, "Most remarkable is the timeline of design and implementation. In March 2006 we issued the Limited Notice to Proceed to Invensys and had our initial on-site kick-off meeting with all present. In approximately 10 months the system was installed in the simulator to support two cycles of operator training. Six months later, the system is operating with precision."
The Tricon TMR system is also utilized for an all new turbine trip digital control scheme, including lube oil, thrust, vacuum and overspeed. The Tricon systems bring together more than 600 critical monitoring and control system I/O points from the turbine and generator.
Sargent & Lundy, the A&E (architecture and engineering) firm, provided a range of engineering services including conceptual study, specification development, bid evaluation, plant modification package, procedure update, installation and test support, and project management assistance.
The Columbia Generating Station is a 1,150-megawatt BWR (boiling water reactor) facility. The new digital systems replace older technology controls, which has greatly improved reliability.
About Energy Northwest
Energy Northwest was the first Joint Operating Agency formed in Washington and is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. In addition to Columbia Generating Station, Energy Northwest also owns and operates wind, solar and hydro power generation facilities in the state.
About Sargent & Lundy
Sargent & Lundy LLC is a worldwide leader in professional services for the electric power industry and has been dedicated exclusively to serving energy business and energy intensive clients for 116 years. The firm provides comprehensive engineering, energy business consulting and project services for new and operating electric power plants and power delivery systems.
Invensys in the Nuclear Power Industry Invensys provides products, services and solutions that enable today's industrial plant operators to monitor, manage, and improve the performance of their plant assets. Invensys includes industry-leading brands such as Foxboro, Triconex, SimSci-Esscor, Wonderware, and Avantis, whose products are installed in more than 100,000 plants across the world. These range from small hybrid and batch plants to the world's largest power plants, refineries, gas plants, petrochemicals plants, and pulp and paper mills.
For the nuclear power generation industry, Invensys combines systems, engineering, and support capabilities to provide a cost-effective, comprehensive solution for plant life extensions With nearly five decades of nuclear industry experience worldwide, an advanced process control system from Foxboro, 1E certified safety systems from Triconex, and sophisticated simulation tools from SimSci-Esscor, Invensys brings together the expertise and resources to provide the nuclear industry with a fully integrated instrumentation and digital control upgrade solution.
The Invensys Group is made up of five businesses: Process Systems, APV, Eurotherm, Rail Systems, and Controls. The Group is headquartered in London and is listed on the London Stock Exchange, with approximately 30,000 employees working in 60 countries.
