Activity
  • Mapping the Future of Industrial Software

    Day one of the Emerson Exchange Users’ Conference featured Monil Malhotra , vice president of industrial software, sharing the roadmap for Emerson’s industrial software offerings. Monil explored the reasons and the path forward for Emerson’s initiative to bring standalone software under one umbrella—meeting user needs from end to end. Today’s process manufacturers are faced with a data tsunami. More devices can collect…
  • Improving Water Cycle Energy Reliability

    Water utilities are challenged to reliably produce and distribute safe, drinkable water to the communities they serve. It’s an energy-intensive process to accomplish this. In a North America Clean Energy article, How the Shift to Distributed Energy Resources Impacts the Water-Power-Carbon Nexus , Emerson’s Jason Blackburn shares how: …two major challenges—water scarcity and water quality—are impacting access to clean…
  • Extending the Digital Twin for More Sustainable Power Generation

    Anyone paying attention to power—and probably even those who aren’t—are well aware that the way electricity is generated and delivered is rapidly changing. While the traditional combined cycle power facilities on the generation side we have come to depend on will be with us for a long time, new sustainable sources of renewable and distributed energy such as wind, solar, battery and green hydrogen are changing the grid…
  • Managing the Changing Energy Mix

    The power industry has been in a state of transition for many years as more and more intermittent, renewable sources of energy come onto the grid. In a LinkedIn article, The Future of Power: How We Evolve “Current-Gen” Technology , Emerson’s Power & Water business president Bob Yeager describes how to manage through this transition. Bob opens: The power industry is certainly at a transition point, most notably driven…
  • Ovation Users’ Conference: Addressing the Needs of Tomorrow’s Markets Today

    Day two of the Ovation Users’ Group conference opened with Jaime Foose , vice president of global sales and marketing for Emerson’s power and water solutions business, sharing how Emerson is addressing the needs of tomorrow’s markets today. Jaime emphasized that everyone is being challenged to make bold changes during these transitional times. We are doing just that by enabling versatile software and subscription models…
  • Ovation Users’ Conference: Reimagining a More Sustainable Tomorrow

    Mark Bulanda , executive president of Emerson’s Automation Solutions business and the keynote speaker for this year’s Ovation Users’ Group opened the conference with a topic that resonated across all speakers: how automation software is helping companies accomplish their commitments to improved performance and, by association, sustainability. Emerson will achieve net zero status by 2045 Mark started by sharing Emerson…
  • Looking Into the Future with Your Digital Twin

    Some of the most exciting advancements in automation software and analytics are happening in simulation. As Monil Malhotra recently shared in an interview with Jim Montague at Control magazine, data analytics are everywhere, and the information we pull from that data is driving incredible technology advancements that are changing the way plants operate. Perhaps one of the most exciting advancements is the predictive…
  • Driving Electrical Power Grid Sustainability

    Let’s wind down this week with a look at the growing complexity in electrical power generation and distribution networks. Advancing technology plays an important role in managing this complexity for grid resiliency and reliability. This 3-minute YouTube video, Emerson Sustainable Grid Solutions shares ways that grids with unpredictable renewable energy can be transformed into predictable, reliable power through real…
  • Microgrid Control Solution for Resilient Performance

    As the northern hemisphere closes in on the winter months, the resiliency of our electrical power grids is a concern, especially here in Texas which experienced significant outages due to extreme cold last winter. In an Electric Energy Online (EET&D) article, Maximizing Microgrid Resilience Through Integrated Automation Strategies, Emerson’s Rick Kephart shares ways for businesses and other facilities to develop contingencies…
  • Making Sense of Cybersecurity

    Identifying the right cybersecurity solutions can be overwhelming. It seems as though every week we’re alerted to a new cybersecurity breach impacting another industry. Unsurprisingly, organizations across the globe—particularly those in critical infrastructure such as power and water providers—are responding by quickly acting to better secure their operations and assets against external intrusion. However, there are…
  • Ovation Users’ Conference – It’s a Pleasure to be of Service

    In an Ovation Users’ Conference panel discussion between Glenn Heinl , vice president of Lifecycle Services; Mike Brown , manager of lifecycle proposals; Jaime Foose , director of security solutions and lifecycle shared services; and Hugo Ibarra , manager of west regional projects, participants looked at how the power and water industries  are changing to sustain the infrastructure of the globe, and at the upcoming technologies…
  • Ovation Users’ Conference – How Collaboration Leads to Success

    If there has been one constant topic of the 2021 Ovation Users’ Conference, it has been that change is everywhere, and the message from Monil Malhotra , vice president of North America projects and sales and Steve Graf , director of North America sales was no exception. Change is particularly striking in power because it has been a slow and stable industry for so long. Monil explained that change in the power industry…
  • Ovation Users’ Group – Balancing Change

    Emerson’s 2021 virtual Ovation Users’ Group Conference opened with Bob Yeager , president of power & water solutions, and Rick Kephart , vice president of technology, sharing a glimpse into the expanding needs of the changing power and water industries. Bob and Rick shared that modern automation systems are about more than just control. Today’s providers are looking for holistic software and technology that form a comprehensive…
  • Case Study: Modernization of Black Start Power Unit Drastically Increases Reliability

    Scientists have warned for decades that climate change can trigger more frequent and intense weather-related events, such as heatwaves and hurricanes which could cause disruptions to power generation and supply. One major U.S. utility digitally transformed a designated black start gas turbine generator to ensure reliable restoration of their electric system in the event of a widespread outage or full loss of power. …
  • Implementing Strong Cybersecurity Best Practices Reduces Cyber Risks

    The importance of cybersecurity has escalated in response to remote work brought on by the global pandemic. Increased connectivity requires organizations to digitally transform operations to support a more sustainable, safer and healthier future. The recent intrusion at the City of Oldsmar water treatment system in Florida underscores the importance of having a strong cybersecurity posture. Periodic reviews of cyber…
  • Strategies for Remote Power Plant Operations

    In an Emerson Exchange Americas Virtual Series industry forum, Power: Strategies for Tomorrow’s Utility, Emerson’s Brett Benson and James Nyenhuis joined two professionals in the electric power industry to discuss how the power industry is: …looking to new digital technologies to improve reliability, reduce costs, and increase operational flexibility of their plants and fleets. One method utilities are exploring is…
  • Ovation Digital Twin Technology

    At the Emerson Exchange Americas Virtual Series, Emerson’s Shen Zhang and James Thompson shared an update on Ovation Digital Twin technology . Here is their presentation abstract: This session will provide an introduction to Ovation embedded simulation then step through what’s needed to develop a plant-specific simulator. An overview of new advanced models and simulation tools will also be provided. James opened describing…
  • Latest Ovation Release Improves Performance, Simplifies Troubleshooting and Provides Added Protections

    Emerson’s industry-leading Ovation platform integrates digitally transformative software and technologies into a unified system that helps customers tackle their toughest challenges. Rick Kephart , Emerson’s vice president of technology for the power and water industries, describes how we continue to evolve the Ovation platform by developing and delivering the automation scalability and flexibility sought by our customers…
  • Modern, Digital Technologies are Critical to Reliable, Clean Water

    A key topic on the mind of attendees at Emerson’s 2020 Ovation Users’ Group Conference water/wastewater industry panel was how technology can help with the influx of new challenges facing water management plants. The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a glimpse of the many challenges organizations must overcome as they continue to reliably provide clean water no matter what is happening in the world. Using technology…
  • Focus on Reliability and Performance to Drive Competitive Advantage

    A common power industry theme at the 2020 Ovation Users’ Group Conference has been the many challenges organizations experience in a shifting environment. The need for maintaining reliability and compliance and avoiding obsolescence remain, yet organizations also face new complexity. Power generators are juggling an additional set of requirements associated with high utilization, daily cycling operation, and the need…
  • Ovation Users’ Group – Pandemic Challenges and Shift Toward Renewables Drives Digitalized Control and Centralization

    The challenges associated with a shift toward renewables and maintaining business continuity during a global pandemic have resulted in new opportunities that have been a constant topic among attendees at Emerson’s 2020 Ovation Users’ Group Conference . Customers are meeting these challenges with bold ideas and expansive projects focused on digital technologies, centralized operations, secure connectivity, and better visibility…
  • Ovation Users’ Group – Cybersecurity, Customer Service and Flexible Deployment Strategies Drive Improved Operations and Performance

    Day two of the Ovation Users’ Group Conference saw speakers focusing on the importance of cybersecurity in driving better operations across the power and water industries. Hyperconnectivity challenges cybersecurity Many organizations already maintain protection and prevention but haven’t focused on detection, which is critical to keeping protection up to date. Robert Lee , chief executive officer of Dragos shared…
  • Ovation Users’ Group – Creating Opportunities Through Digital Transformation

    Emerson’s 2020 Ovation Users’ Group Conference opened with Bob Yeager , president of power & water solutions, providing an update on the power and water landscape in our rapidly changing world. Bob opened with a look at how interaction and routines have drastically shifted in ways beyond our control, both in life and in business. One of the primary ways this change has manifested has been through a shift toward digital…
  • Improved Operations for Water and Wastewater Producers

    A vital business for every community is the water and wastewater utility. Providing safe, reliable water to consumers and businesses and safely treating wastewater is paramount for the health of the community. In a Water & Wastes Digest (WWD) video interview, The Benefits of Automation for Water & Wastewater Utilities , Emerson’s Pete Gabor highlights the role of automation in accomplishing this important mission. WWD…
  • Ovation Advanced Condition Monitoring

    Jason King Emerson’s Jason King shares an update on advanced condition monitoring in the Ovation distributed control system at last week’s 2019 Ovation Users’ Group conference. This integrated machinery protection and condition monitoring module built directly into the Ovation system. It is capable of typical equipment protection functions, but also has condition monitoring technology built in, so no separate software…