Lower Colorado River Authority Selects Invensys for Ash Handling Systems Automation

February 27, 2006
Schneider Electric
News

Summary

LCRA will employ I/A Series digital automation from Foxboro in a control system modernization at the Fayette Power Project, a 1,641-megawatt, three-unit, coal-fired generating facility near La Grange, Texas. The new controls implementation will replace existing ash handling PLC systems controls in Units 1 and 2, each with a capacity of 598 megawatts.

FOXBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, USA – February 27, 2006 – The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) will employ I/A Series digital automation from Foxboro in a control system modernization at the Fayette Power Project, a 1,641-megawatt, three-unit, coal-fired generating facility near La Grange, Texas. The new controls implementation will replace existing ash handling PLC systems controls in Units 1 and 2, each with a capacity of 598 megawatts. Future phases of automation planned for new scrubbers on these units will also employ I/A Series automation. The I/A Series system will connect with approximately 1,300 I/O points using a variety HART and other field devices. Invensys will also provide a range of professional services, including site engineering and other field services. At the Fayette Power Project, the new systems build on existing Invensys control infrastructure. I/A Series systems are used for boiler and turbine control in Units 1 and 2. LCRA and Austin Energy jointly own the two units, and LCRA owns the third unit outright. LCRA manages and operates all three units and continually seeks ways to make the facility operate more efficiently for the benefit of electricity users throughout the Central Texas area, including Austin. Triconex triple redundant controller applications are planned for the overspeed trips on all major turbines. The plant is also in the process of implementing a SimSci-Esscor simulator for training purposes. The addition of the new I/A Series system for ash handling automation will allow LCRA to further integrate the controls at the site, enhancing automation efficiency. Invensys and LCRA have a long-term automation alliance agreement designed to help LCRA improve performance and reduce costs. Six LCRA generating units are presently controlled by Invensys automation systems. About Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)LCRA supplies low-cost electricity for Central Texas, manages water supplies and floods in the lower Colorado River basin, develops water and wastewater utilities, provides public parks, and supports community and economic development. LCRA sells wholesale electricity to more than 40 retail utilities, including cities and electric cooperatives that serve more than one million people in 53 counties, and operates more than 3,300 miles of transmission lines statewide. LCRA is ranked as the nation's 10th-largest public power producer by the American Public Power Association.LCRA is a conservation and reclamation district created by the Texas Legislature in 1934. It has no taxing authority and operates solely on utility revenues and fees generated from supplying energy, water and community services. The mission of the Lower Colorado River Authority is to provide reliable, low-cost utility and public services in partnership with its customers and communities and to use its leadership and environmental authority to ensure the protection and constructive use of the area's natural resources. More information about LCRA can be found at www.lcra.org.About Invensys Process SystemsInvensys Process Systems, a business unit of Invensys plc, provides products, services and solutions that enable today’s industrial plants to monitor, manage, and improve the performance of their production assets. In addition to its rapidly expanding Global Solutions group, Invensys Process Systems 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 upstream projects, refineries, gas plants, petrochemicals plants, power plants, and pulp and paper mills.The Invensys Group (www.invensys.com) 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.

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